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CONTRIBUTIONS 


TO 


GEOLOGY. 


ISAAC    LEA, 


MEMBER  OF  THE  AMERICAN  PHILOSOPHICAL  SOCIETY  ; 
OF  THE  ACADEMY  OF  NATURAL  SCIENCES  OF  PHILADELPHIA  ', 

OF  THE  LYCEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  NEW  YORK  J 
HONORARY  MEMBER  OF  THE  MEDICAL  SOCIETY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY, 

NEW  YORK ; 
MEMBER  OF  THE  ROYAL  PHYSICAL  SOCIETY  OF  EDINBURGH  ; 

OF  THE  BRITISH  ASSOCIATION   OF   SCIENCE; 

OF  THE  NATURAL  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY  OF    MONTREAL  ; 

CORRESPONDING  MEMBER  OF  THE  LINNjEAN  SOCIETY  OF  BOURDEAUX, 

ETC.  ETC. 


PHILADELPHIA : 

CAREY,  LEA  AND  BLANCHARD. 
1833. 


UBRARY 


Philadelphia : 

Printed  by  James  Kay,  Jun.  &  Co., 
Race  above  4th  Street. 


TO 


CHARLES    TAIT,    ESQ 

OF  CLAIBORNE,  ALABAMA. 


My  dear  sir, 

Your  having  first  called  my  attention  to  the  Tertiary 
Formation  of  Alabama,  and  owing  to  your  kindness,  as  I 
do,  all  the  species  described  in  this  volume,  from  the  de- 
posit at  Claiborne,  gives  you  a  strong  claim  upon  me, 
which  is  only  equalled  by  the  pleasure  I  have  in  offering 
to  you  the  dedication  of  this  volume. 

I  am,  my  dear  sir, 
Very  sincerely,  and  very  truly  yours, 

ISAAC  LEA. 

Philadelphia,  November  1,  1833. 


IVJ90604: 


ERRATA. 


Page    39,  line  12  from  the  top,  for  Solecurtis  read  Solecurtus. 

Page    42,  line  12  from  the  top,  for  anguar  read  angular. 

Page    G8,  line  16  from  the  top,  for  Miscene  read  Miocene. 

Page    85,  line  the  last,  for  supercretacious  read  supercretaceous. 

Page    89,  line  15  from  the  top,  for  Mantilli  read  Mantelli. 

Page  107,  line  18  from  the  top,  for  callous  read  callus. 

Page  111,  line  19  from  the  top,  for  out  read  outer. 

Page  153,  line    4  from  the  top,  for  Monoceres  read  Monoceros. 

Page  176,  line  the  last,  for  Lamberti  read  Lambertii. 

Page  195,  line  17  from  the  top,  for  granulation  read  granulations. 


PREFACE. 


IN  publishing  the  present  work,  I  hope  to  add  some  new 
facts,  contributing  to  the  development  of  the  geology  of  our 
country.  Little,  comparatively,  has  yet  been  accomplish- 
ed in  defining  with  perfect  accuracy,  most  of  the  beds  of  the 
great  geological  masses  of  our  extended  formations  ;  and 
these  contributions  are  presented  with  a  view  to  assist, 
though  in  a  small  degree,  in  the  accomplishment  of  an 
object  desirable  to  every  American  geologist,  a  perfect  and 
thorough  knowledge  of  American  geology. 

Presuming  the  species  to  be  new,  I  have  endeavoured  to 
make  minute  descriptions,  accompanied  by  faithful  figures 
of  each,  with  the  hope  of  determining  their  characters  per- 
manently. 

The  small  contributions  at  the  end  of  this  volume  are 
added,  in  the  hope  of  their  proving  to  be  of  some  interest, 
the  specimens  having  been  for  some  years  in  my  possess- 
ion, without  a  favourable  opportunity  before  presenting 
itself  for  their  publication. 

Having  last  spring,  after  my  return  from  Europe,  finish- 


VI  PREFACE. 

ed  a  supplement  to  my  fourth  memoir,  as  well  as  some 
observations  on  Lamarck's  species  of  the  Naiades,  (to  be 
published  in  the  Transactions  of  the  American  Philosophi- 
cal Society)  I  found  myself  sufficiently  at  leisure  to  take 
up  the  fossils  from  Claiborne,  Alabama,  which  had  been 
so  long  in  my  possession,  and  which  had  not  before  been 
described.  The  want  of  time  alone  had  prevented  an 
earlier  attention  to  them. 


CONTENTS. 


TERTIARY  FORMATION  OF  ALABAMA,  -  9 

Supplement,          -  187 

NEW   TERTIARY   FOSSIL  SHELLS  FROM  MARYLAND   AND 

NEW  JERSEY,            .  209 

NEW  GENUS  OF  FOSSIL  SHELL  FROM  NEW  JERSEY,     -  217 

TUFACEOUS  LACUSTRINE  FORMATION  OF  SYRACUSE,  ONON- 

DAGA  COUNTY,  NEW  YORK,        ...  221 


TERTIARY    FORMATION 


ALABAMA. 


INTRODUCTION. 


THE  rapid  development  of  the  science  of  Geology  has 
in  Europe,  within  the  last  few  years,  called  to  its  aid  the 
attention  and  exercise  of  the  highest  talent.  In  this  coun- 
try, we  have  been  making  a  regular,  though  not  so  rapid  a 
progress,  in  the  knowledge  of  our  widely  extended  and 
interesting  deposits ;  and  it  is  to  be  regretted,  that  our  inves- 
tigations have  not  yet  been  sufficiently  extended  to  enable 
us  to  institute,  in  all  the  strata,  such  comparisons  as  would 
allow  us  to  decide,  with  precision,  as  to  their  equivalents 
in  Europe.  This  can  only  be  done  with  success,  after  the 
fossil  conchologist  shall  have  developed  a  large  portion  of 
the  genera  and  species  of  our  different  masses. 

Until  recently,  it  was  considered,  that  a  single  cataclysm 
had  left  behind  its  desolating  sweep,  all  the  organic  re- 
mains inhumed  within  the  bowels  of  the  earth.  The  obser- 
vations of  recent  philosophers,  more  exact,  prove  to  us,  be- 
yond contradiction,  "  that  the  earth's  surface  has  been,  and 
still  is,  subject  to  incessant  fluctuation  and  movements."* 

If  we  turn  our  attention  to  the  examination  of  the  ear- 
liest period  where  organized  matter  has  been  discovered  (in 
the  lowest  Fossiliferous  group  of  De  la  Beche),  we  find  the 
indications  of  animal  life  extremely  rare,  and  we  may  con- 
clude that  the  change  from  the  crystalline  rocksf  to  that 

*  Geology  of  the  South  of  England,  by  G.  Mantell,  p.  xiv.  of  Intro- 
duction. 

t  This  class  of  rocks  so  well  known  under  the  name  of  Primitive  rocks, 


12  INTRODUCTION. 

of  this  formation,  was  co-existent  with  their  primeval  exis- 
tence. This  author  very  justly  observes,  that  "whatever 
the  kind  of  animal  may  have  been  which  first  appeared  on 
the  surface  of  our  planet,  we  may  be  certain  that  it  was 
consistent  with  the  wisdom  and  design  which  have  always 
prevailed  throughout  nature,  and  that  each  creature  was 
peculiarly  adapted  to  that  situation  destined  to  be  occupied 
by  it." 

The  Grauwacke  group,*  which  lies  above  the  last  men- 
tioned formation,  contains  many  genera  of  shells  and  other 
organic  remains.  Some  of  these  genera,  which  consisted 
of  innumerable  species,  are,  in  the  superior  deposits,  totally 
wanting,  being  entirely  extinct,  to  the  best  of  our  know- 
ledge ;  while  other  genera,  unknown  in  the  vast  deposits  of 
the  inferior  formations,  are  here  found  in  great  abundance 
and  in  numerous  species. 

In  the  strata  superior  to  this,  the  Carboniferous  group, 
we  find,  for  the  first  time,  a  deposit  of  fresh  water  forma- 
tion, and  the  fossil  remains  of  the  group  are  increased  by 
the  addition  of  plants  and  fishes. 

Superior  to  this  again  we  find  the  New  Red  Sandstone 
group,  and  in  it  some  of  the  reptilia,  the  great  Saurian 
animals. 

•Higher  up,  the  Oolitic  group  presents  us  with  a  much 
greater  vaiiety  of  reptilia,  and  for  the  first  time  we  have 
the  indication  of  Mammalia  in  the  Didelphis  Bucklandi. 
Plants,  zoophytes,  shells,  Crustacea,  &c.  are  numerous, 
and  insects  have  also  been  observed  in  it.f 

(Agalysian  rocks  of  Brogniart)  presenting  nearly  the  same  character  in 
all  parts  of  the  world,  seem,  by  their  attrition,  to  have  formed,  in  subse- 
quent deposits,  the  whole  mass  of  superincumbent  rocks,  except  those  of 
volcanic  origin. 

*  Hemilysiens  of  Brogniart  includes  this  and  the  subsequent  group. 

t  In  the  U.  States,  no  indication  of  the  Oolitic  group  has  been  observed. 
In  England  it  is  a  very  important  formation,  consisting  of  numerous  sub- 
formations,  of  which  the  Lias  is  the  lowest. 


INTRODUCTION.  13 

[n  the  Wealden  formation,  overlying  the  last,  and  be- 
longing to  the  Cretaceous  group*  of  De  la  Beche,  we 
find  such  organic  remains  as  prove  it  to  be  of  fluviatile 
origin.  The  shells  found,  are  those  which  are  known  to 
exist  only  in  rivers,  (Uniones,  &c.)  and  those  genera  which 
are  considered  as  estuary  shells.  In  it  the  reptilia  are 
numerous.  Superior  to  this  formation,  we  find  in  the  same 
group,  the  Lower  green  sand,  the  Gault,  Upper  green  sand, 
and  the  Chalk,  which  to  the  geologist  of  this  country  are  of 
great  interest,  as  we  find  in  these  deposits  generally  known 
as  "  marl  of  New-Jersey  and  Delaware,"  a  part  of  their 
equivalents,  f 

The  Supercretaceous  group,  |  which  is  next  in  superpo- 
sition, contains  organic  remains  of  the  highest  interest. 
Consisting  of  various  deposits,  and  many  localities  in  Eu- 
rope, as  it  does  in  this  country,  much  attention  has  been 
given  to  it  there,  and  more  recently,  it  has  attracted  the 
notice  of  our  geologists. 

The  observation  of  Mr  Lyell,  that  the  Tertiary  groups 
of  Europe  have  detached  and  isolated  positions,  while  the 
Secondary  period  extends  over  great  aread,  applies  equally 
to  our  country.  In  these  groups  we,  for  the  first  time,  find 
those  species  of  shells  which  we  are  able  to  identify  with 
living  species,  while  those  genera  which  existed  in  such 
abundance  in  the  inferior  formations,  have  here  nearly 
disappeared.  Of  the  genus  Ammonites,  two  only  of  the 
one  hundred  and  eighty-three  described  in  Great  Britain 

*  Pelagiques  of  Al.  Brogniart  includes  this  and  the  Oolitic  group. 

t  It  is  to  Prof.  Vanuxem  (Jour,  of  the  Acad.  of  Nat.  Sci.  of  Phil.,  vol. 
6,  p.  59)  we  are  indebted  for  the  identification  of  this  formation  with  the 
Cretaceous  group  of  Europe.  This  geologist  having  collected  littoral  shells 
from  the  Burr-stone  of  Georgia,  brought  to  this  city  during  our  late  war, 
when  the  foreign  importation  ceased,  and  having  collected  the  pelagian 
remains  of  New  Jersey,  was  led  to  conclude,  while  in  France,  in  1818, 
examining  the  Paris  basin,  that  the  alluvial  of  M'Clure  consisted  of 
Secondary,  Tertiary  and  Alluvial  masses. 

t  Thalassiques  of  Al.  Brogniart. 


14  INTRODUCTION. 

are  found  so  high  up  as  the  London  Clay  ;  and  to  the  de- 
posits superior  to  this,  the  genus  is  entirely  wanting.  Nearly 
the  same  observations  extend  to  the  genera  Orthocera, 
Belemnites  and  Hamites.  We  look  to  the  Tertiary  Forma- 
tion with  peculiar  interest,  as  its  lower  deposit  or  period 
contains  the  incipient  state,  or  as  Mr  Lyell  says,  "the 
dawn  of  the  existing  state  of  the  animate  creation." 

The  division  of  the  Tertiary  Formation  into  three  epochs, 
has  been  admitted  by  most  modern  geologists.  For  these, 
Mr  Lyell*  proposes,  in  the  descending  order,  the  names  of 
Pliocene  period,  Miocene  period,  and  Eocene  period.  The 
first  is  derived  from  the  Greek  words  vxttuv  major,  and  KO.IVOS 
recens,  as  most  of  them  are  recent  species,  and  of  course, 
of  later  deposit.  This  he  subdivides  into  the  Newer  and 
Older  Pliocene,  in  which  division  M.  Deshayes  does  not 
agree  with  him.  The  second,  Miocene,  is  from  ^UM 
minor,  and  *<moc  recens,  there  being  here  a  minority  of 
recent  species.  The  third,  the  Eocene,  is  derived  from  »«5 
aurora,  and  »*<w  recens,  this  being  "  the  dawn  of  the 
existing  state  of  the  animate  creation." 

In  the  lowest  of  these,  the  Eocene  period,!  there  have 
been  observed  in  Europe  one  thousand  two  hundred  and 
thirty-eight  species,  of  which  the  very  small  number  of 
forty-two  have  been  identified  with  recent  species.  "  Of 
fossil  species,  not  known  as  recent,  forty-two  are  common 
to  the  Eocene  and  Miocene  epochs.":):  It  is  remarkable, 
too,  that  the  living  species  are  rarely  inhabitants  of  the 
shores  of  those  countries  in  which  they  are  found  in  a 
fossil  state,  inhabiting  now  more  southern  climates. 

The  next  period  of  deposit,  that  of  the  Miocene,  is  a  for- 

*  Principles  of  Geology,  vol.  3,  p.  53. 

t  Mr.  Lyell,  with  great  propriety,  includes  in  this  period  the  Plaslic 
Clay  with  the  London  Clay ;  the  line  of  separation  of  which,  he  says, 
"  is  quite  arbitrary."  Principles  of  Geology,  vol.  3,  p.  278. 

t  Principles  of  Geology,  vol.  3,  p.  55. 


INTRODUCTION.  15 

rnation  distinct  in  its  characters  from  the  London  Clay 
below,  and  the  English  Crag  above  it.  In  it,  M.  Deshayes 
has  observed  one  thousand  and  twenty-one  species,  one 
hundred  and  seventy-six  of  which,  only,  are  found  in  a 
recent  state. 

Superior  again  to  this,  in  the  Pliocene  period,  we  find 
the  recent  species  comparatively  abundant.  Mr  Lyell  in 
dividing  this  into  the  Older  and  Newer  Pliocene,  observes, 
that  "  the  plurality  of  living  species  is  so  very  decided." 
The  former  includes  the  Subappennine  hills,  and  the  En- 
glish Crag ;  the  latter,  the  Sicilian  beds. 

It  has  been  stated  that  forty-five  hundredths  of  the  spe- 
cies found  in  the  English  Crag  exist  in  a  recent  state  ;* 
while  in  the  Sicilian  beds,  according  to  Mr  Lyell,  ten  only 
out  of  two  hundred  and  twTenty-six  are  extinct  or  un- 
known, nearly  the  whole  of  them  existing  at  the  present 
time  in  the  neighbouring  seas. 

In  addition  to  the  marine  reliquiae,  the  remains  of  terres- 
trial mammiferous  animals  afford  us,  in  the  Tertiary  Form- 
ation, a  striking  proof  of  the  extraordinary  change  which 
has  taken  place.  Of  the  numerous  species  the  remains 
of  which  are  there  found,  none  now  exist.  "  More  than 
forty  of  these  Eocene  mammifers,  are  referable  to  a  division 
of  the  order  Pachydermata,  which  has  now  only  four  living 
representatives  on  the  globe  ;  of  these,  not  only  the  species, 
but  the  genera,  are  distinct  from  any  of  those  which  have 
been  established  for  the  classification  of  living  animals."! 

The  Mammalia  of  the  Miocene  agree  in  some  of  the 
genera  with  recent  animals,  and  those  of  the  Pliocene 
are  "an  intermixture  of  extinct  and  recent  species  of 
quadrupeds."^ 

Superior,  and  next  to  the  Tertiary,  is  De  la  Beche's 
Erratic  Block  Group,  and  above  it,  his  Modern  Group. 

*  Address  of  the  Pres.  of  the  Geo.  Soc.  1833. 
t  Principles  of  Geology,  vol.  3,  p.  59. 
t  Principles  of  Geology,  vol.  3,  p.  60. 


16  INTRODUCTION. 

These  two  are  embraced  in  Mr  Lyell's  Recent  Period,  and 
here  are  found  to  exist  the  remains  of  those  large  animals, 
the  Mastodon,  Hippopotamus,  Megatherium,  Rhinoceros,  &c. 
&c.  To  this  Recent  Period,  belong  the  causes  which 
are  now  so  evidently  in  action,  and  with  which  we  are  fami- 
liar, such  as  the  formation  of  coral  reefs  and  islands,  deltas, 
travertins,  active  volcanoes,  &c. 

Viewing  these  changes,  the  facts  of  which  have  been 
established  by  the  united  exertions  of  geologists,  within 
a  comparatively  short  period,  we  reflect  with  intense  in- 
terest on  the  disappearance  from  our  planet  of  an  im- 
mense number  of  species,  numerous  genera,  and  even 
some  families  ! 

The  causes  of  the  vast  changes  which  it  is  evident  to 
our  senses,  have  taken  place,  are  among  the  most  inter- 
esting which  have  engaged  the  attention  of  mankind. 
Theories  of  all  kinds  have  been  promulgated,  and  little  good 
has  arisen  from  them,  except  that  of  the  gradual  develop- 
ment of  facts,  the  accumulation  of  which  has  added  to 
our  stock  of  knowledge.  It  is  said  to  be  Fuchsel  (a 
German  geologist)  who  first  asserted  that  the  causes 
now  in  operation  were  sufficient  to  produce  the  changes 
observed  in  our  strata.  "  Similar  changes  may  now  take 
place  ;  for  the  earth  has  always  presented  phenomena  similar 
to  those  of  the  present  day"*  Such  is  the  remarkable 
language  of  the  author,  published  about  seventy  years 
since.  Very  recently,  the  theory  of  actual  causes  has 
been  considered  in  England,  by  some  of  her  ablest  geolo- 
gists, as  sufficient  to  satisfy  the  attentive  observer.  Mr 
Lyell  may  now  be  considered  as  tne  leader  of  this  theory, 
and  the  mass  of  facts  brought  together  in  his  admirable 
work,  would  seem  to  be  enough  to  satisfy  the  most  scep- 
tical. 

The  rapid    change  which  is  now    going    on   in   the 

*  De  la  Beche's  Geol.  Man.,  p.  382,  first  English  edition. 


INTRODUCTION.  17 

greatest  altitudes  of  Switzerland,  points  out  to  us  the  mode 
in  which  nature  is  operating  by  decomposition,  and  the 
attraction  of  gravitation.  When  standing  on  the  borders 
of  the  Mer  de  Glace,  and  while  crossing  its  frozen  bosom, 
this  operation  was  brought  most  forcibly  to  my  mind. 
Every  moment  my  ears  were  saluted  with  the  sound,  more 
or  less  distant,  of  rocks  precipitated  from  some  height  into 
the  abysses  below,  and  which  reverberated  over  this  frozen 
sea.  The  time  may  come,  when  the  pinnacles  of  Mont 
Blanc  and  other  mountains,  which  surround  the  beauti- 
ful valley  of  Chaumonie,  will  have  been  precipitated  to 
their  bases,  and  the  debris  be  so  completely  carried  off  as 
to  leave,  perhaps,  that  beautiful  and  fertile  spot  itself,  the 
highest  pinnacle  of  the  country,  a  naked  rock,  to  be 
gazed  at  from  a  distance.* 

•  Perhaps  the  most  difficult  point  to  solve,  is  that  which 
presents  itself  in  the  fact,  that  deposits  in  high  latitudes 
contain  animal  and  vegetable  remains,  presumed  by  ana- 
logy to  be  unable  to  exist  in  their  temperature  at  the 
present  period.  A  change  in  the  earth's  axis  would,  of 
course,  affect  the  temperature  of  its  surface,  but  whether 
that  can  take  place  under  any  known  law,  in  a  sufficient 
degree  to  effect  such  a  change,  has  certainly  not  been 
established.  Sir  John  Herschel  has  supposed  that  a 
change  of  temperature  might  take  place  in  the  change 
of  the  elliptical  orbit  of  the  earth,  which  becomes  gradu- 
ally more  circular,  f 

*  Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  observed  the  following  passage  in 
Lyell's  Principles  of  Geology,  vol.  3.  "  Those  naturalists  who  have 
seen  the  glaciers  of  Savoy,  and  who  have  beheld  the  prodigious  magni- 
tude of  some  fragments  conveyed  by  them  from  the  higher  regions  of 
Mont  Blanc,  to  the  valleys  below,  to  a  distance  of  many  leagues,  will  be 
prepared  to  appreciate  the  effects  which  a  series  of  earthquakes  might 
produce  in  this  region,  if  the  peaks  or  '  needles,'  as  they  are  called,  of 
Mont  Blanc,  were  shaken  as  rudely  as  many  parts  of  the  Andes  have 
been  in  our  times." 

t  Geol.  Manual,  p.  6. 
C 


18  INTRODUCTION. 


The  greatly  extended  Tertiary  deposits  on  the  Atlantic 
coast  of  our  country,  present  one  of  the  most  interesting 
of  the  geological  phenomena  known  in  it.  To  ascertain 
the  relative  age  of  the  deposits  of  the  same  formation  in 
Europe,  has  engaged  the  attention  of  the  fossil  concholo- 
gist  there  for  many  years.  With  us,  partial  examinations 
of  the  fossils  of  the  different  beds,  have  already  been  made 
by  several  of  our  geologists.  In  the  course  of  my  inves- 
tigations, I  have  satisfied  myself  of  the  identity  of  our 
Tertiary  Formation  with  that  of  Europe. 

After  a  careful  examination  of  a  great  number  of  genera 
and  species,  from  the  Tertiary  of  Claiborne,  Alabama,  I 
had  no  hesitation  in  referring  them  to  the  same  period  as 
the  London  Clay  of  England  and  the  Calcaire  Grossier 
of  Paris ;  although  this  deposit  is  composed  of  silicious 
sand,  while  that  of  the  London  Clay  is  argillaceous,  and 
the  Calcaire  Grossier  is  calcareous.  This  part  of  the  Ter- 
tiary Formation,  as  before  stated,  is  called  by  Mr  Lyell,  the 
Eocene  Period.  It  abounds  in  the  greatest  variety  of 
fossils  ;  one  thousand  two  hundred  and  thirty-eight  species 
of  shells  having  in  Europe,  as  before  mentioned,  been 
noticed  in  it.  I  have  already  observed  nearly  two  hundred 
and  fifty  species  from  Claiborne,  descriptions  of  two  hundred 
and  nineteen  of  which  being  supposed  to  be  new,  will  be 
found  in  their  proper  order,  in  this  memoir  and  its  supple- 
ment.* It  is  an  extraordinary  fact,  that  among  the  whole 
of  these,  there  cannot  be,  with  absolute  certainty,  a  single 
species  found  to  have  its  analogue  in  a  living  species.  Some 

*  Mr  Conrad  has  described  twenty-five  species.  See  Fossil  Concho- 
l°gyj  Nos.  1  and  2,  and  the  American  Journal  of  Science  and  Arts,  vol. 
23,  p.  339. 


INTRODUCTION.  19 

of  the  genera  are  unknown  on  our  coast ;  some  are  found 
only  in  a  fossil  state  in  Europe,  and  others  are  entirely  new. 
I  am  not  perfectly  satisfied  that  a  single  species  is  strictly 
analogous  to  those  from  the  Eocene  Period  of  Europe,  but  the 
number  of  turrited  shells  and  similar  genera  prove  it  to  be  of 
the  same  epoch.  The  Venericardia  planicosta  (as  Cardila 
planicosta)  has  been  noticed  by  Mr  Conrad  as  being  of  this 
locality.  This  is  at  least  a  variet}^  for  it  differs  from  those 
of  the  Eocene  of  the  Paris  basin  in  the  number  of  its  ribs, 
if  not  in  some  other  characters.  Three  specimens  from 
this  formation,  in  my  cabinet,  contain  individually  thirty- 
one,  thirty-four  and  thirty-six  ribs,  while  of  the  first  four- 
teen counted  from  Claiborne,  three  gave  twenty-seven, 
four  gave  twenty-eight,  two  gave  twenty-nine,  and  five 
gave  thirty  ribs.  Mr  Conrad  describes  his  specimen  (from 
Maryland)  as  having  about  twenty-two  ribs.  There  are 
two  other  species  from  Claiborne,  which  resemble  those  of 
the  Eocene  of  the  Paris  basin.  One  is  a  Fusus,  very  simi- 
lar to  the  F.  long&vus  of  Lamarck,  but  the  specimen 
being  imperfect,  I  cannot  decide  upon  it  with  precision  ;* 
the  other  is  Jlcteon^  lineatus,  (see  description)  which  very 
closely  resembles  the  Tornatella  inflata  (Ferussac)4 

The  formation  near  Fort  Washington,  on  the  Potomac, 
below  the  city  of  Washington,  may,  I  think,  be  referred 
to  the  same  period  as  that  at  Claiborne.  I  owe  to  the 
kindness  of  Professor  Vanuxem,  specimens  obtained  there, 
many  years  since.  Some  of  these  shells  have  been 
since  described  by  Mr  Conrad,  Cucullcea§  gigantea,  Tur- 
ritella  Mortoni,  &c.  Future  investigations  may  produce 
such  results  as  will  enable  us  to  trace,  with  more  exact- 

*  I  propose  for  it  the  provisionary  name  of  Claibornensis. 

t  Tornatella  (Lamarck). 

J  Description  des  Coquilles  Fossiles  des  Environs  de  Paris,  t.  2,  pi. 
24,  figs.  4  and  5. 

§  Two  species  only  of  this  genus  have  been  observed  in  the  Tertiary 
of  Europe  Both  are  in  the  Eocene  of  Paris. 


20  INTRODUCTION. 

ness  than  we  can  at  present,  the  parallel  of  these  de- 
posits, and  men  of  science  being  now  engaged  in  Mary- 
land, by  order  of  the  legislature,  to  make  geological  re- 
searches, we  may  hope,  ere  long,  to  have  this,  with  other 
deposits  of  the  state,  better  known  than  they  are  at  pre- 
sent. The  deposit  at  Vance's  Ferry,  South  Carolina,  has 
been  observed  by  Dr  Blanding  to  contain  one  of  the 
characteristic  fossils  of  the  Eocene  Period,  the  Venericardia 
planicosta,  and  in  the  cabinet  of  that  naturalist  I  have 
observed  several  other  genera,  which  distinctly  identify  it 
with  that  epoch. 

It  is  a  matter  of  considerable  doubt,  if  any  Tertiary  de- 
posit, contemporaneous  with  the  Miocene  Period  of  Mr 
Lyell,  has  yet  been  observed  in  our  Formations.  The  de- 
posits of  Bourdeaux,  Dax,  Turin,  Ronca,  Vienna,  and  some 
other  places  on  the  Continent,  are  of  this  period,  but  it  is 
not,  I  believe,  known  to  exist  in  England.  Future  inves- 
tigations may,  in  the  vast  extent  of  our  southern  deposits, 
discover  its  existence. 

The  Older  Pliocene  Period  of  Mr  Lyell,  finds  its  equiva- 
lent, I  think,  in  the  well  known  deposit  of  St  Mary's, 
Maryland.  Mr  Conrad,  who  has  carefully  examined  the 
deposit  at  this  place,  has  given  us  a  catalogue  of  fifty-six 
species  observed  there  by  himself.  Of  these,  about  one  third 
are  known  to  exist  on  our  coast ;  but  some  of  them  in  more 
southern  latitudes.  The  deposits  of  York  Town,  Smith- 
field,  and  Suffolk  in  Virginia,  and  those  of  Easton  and  St 
Mary's  in  Maryland,  as  well  as  that  of  Cumberland  county, 
in  New  Jersey,  are  referred  by  that  geologist  to  the  Upper 
Tertiary,  and,  without  doubt,  belong  to  the  Older  Pliocene 
Period  of  the  Tertiary. 

Of  the  Newer  Pliocene  Period  we  have  an  equivalent 
in  the  deposit  at  the  mouth  of  the  Potomac ;  the  dis- 
tance of  which,  in  a  direct  line,  is  about  forty-five  miles 
from  the  ocean,  the  intervening  country  being  low  and 


INTRODUCTION.  21 

level.  Mr  Conrad  has  examined  this  deposit,  and  says, 
"  not  only  are  the  fossils  of  this  locality  the  same  as  ex- 
isting species,  but,  in  some  instances,  they  retain  their 
colour."*  Of  those  in  his  table,  consisting  of  twenty-nine 
species  found  there,  he  has  been  able  to  recognise  all  but 
seven  as  existing  in  a  recent  state,  and  the  most  of  these  will, 
I  have  no  doubt,  be  hereafter  found  on  our  coasts.  One  of 
them,  the  Cytherea  convexa,  may  already  be  removed  from 
the  exceptions.  I  owe  to  the  kindness  of  Colonel  Totten, 
of  the  engineer  corps,  specimens  of  this  species,  from  the 
coast  near  Newport,  Rhode  Island.  A  deposit  of  this 
epoch  is  also  found  beneath  the  surface  at  Charleston, 
S.  C.  Professor  Vanuxem  gave  me  specimens  taken  from 
a  well  of  that  city,  some  of  which  are  so  fresh  as  still  to 
exhibit  the  original  colours.  They  consist  of  the  genera 
«#rca,  Jlmphidesma,  Clathradon,  Maclra,  Tellina,  Margi- 
nella,  Fusus,  Oliva,  &c. 


The  rich  and  highly  interesting  Formation  at  Claiborne, 
Alabama,  was  called  to  my  attention  by  my  friend,  Judge 
Tait,  a  citizen  of  that  place,  in  January  1829.  The  beau- 
tiful specimens  he  sent  me  at  the  close  of  the  year,  in- 
duced me  to  obtain  from  him  further  shipments  of  the 
fossils  from  the  same  stratum,  and  specimens  from  the 
inferior  and  superior  strata,  as  well  as  some  account  of  the 
geographical  position  of  the  place. 

In  his  letter  of  July  20,  1831,  he  says,  "the  town  of 
Claiborne  is  built  on  a  bluff,  on  the  east,  or  south  side  of  the 
Alabama  river.  In  a  direct  line,  it  is  about  ninety  miles 
from  the  gulf  of  Mexico.  The  bluff  is  estimated  to  be 
two  hundred  feet  high.  It  is  at  least  that.  That  Forma- 

*  Journal  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Science  of  Philad.,  vol.  6,  p.  207. 


22  INTRODUCTION. 

tion  which  is  so  remarkable,  and  passes  through  the  whole 
extent  of  South  Alabama,  called  the  Shell  Limestone 
Country,  embraces  this  bluff.  The  southern  edge  of  this 
Formation  commences  about  ten  miles  south  of  this  place. 
It  is,  no  doubt,  about  one  hundred  miles  wide  from  south 
to  north,  in  this  part  of  the  state.  It  is  believed  that  this 
limestone  tract  takes  its  beginning  at  the  gulf,  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  St  Mark's  and  Tallahassee,  and  extends 
from  that  point  north  west,  through  the  whole  of  this  and 
the  state  of  Mississippi,  and  is  said  to  terminate  at  the 
Chickasaw  Bluffs,  in  West  Tennessee.  This  Formation 
is  probably  of  the  same  nature  with  that  which  extends 
through  South  Carolina,  Georgia  and  Florida,  parallel  to 
the  sea  coasts,  and  terminates  on  the  gulf  of  Mexico,  at 
or  about  St  Mark's.  The  course  of  this  Atlantic  Forma- 
tion is  from  the  north  east  to  the  south  west.  The  coun- 
try between  the  Shell  Limestone  tract  in  this  state,  and 
Mississippi  and  the  gulf,  is  a  barren  sand,  with  the  long 
leaf  pine  (Plnus  australis),  &c.  as  its  principal  forest 
growth." 

With  the  specimens  then  sent,  was  received  a  short  stra- 
tagraphical  account  of  each  which  is  here  inserted. 

"  No.  1  is  a  specimen  of  the  stratum,  from  the  water 
line  up  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet,  extending  be- 
low the  water  as  far  as  can  be  discerned  by  the  eye." 

This  specimen  was  nearly  six  inches  square.  It  is  a  soft 
calcareous  rock,  containing  eleven  per  cent  of  carbonate  of 
lime,*  with  occasional  specks  of  mica,  and  small  cells  filled 
with  carbon.  In  breaking  it  up,  to  present  as  much  surface 
as  possible,  I  examined  it  carefully,  to  endeavour  to  identify 
the  fossils  contained  in  it,  but  these  could  only  be  seen  in  a 
very  imperfect  state,  and  almost  universally  in  fragments. 
They  consisted  generally  of  Flustrcz,  Cardiw,  Corbulce,  Os- 

*  To  the  kindness  of  Dr  J.  K.  Mitchell  I  am  indebted  for  the  analysis 
of  these  specimens. 


INTRODUCTION.  23 

trew,  Volutw,  Naticaz  and  Turritellw.  The  shells  were  so 
friable  as  almost  to  fall  into  powder  on  the  touch,  and  pre- 
sented no  characters  whereby  to  make  specific  distinctions. 

With  this  slight  knowledge  of  the  stratum,  it  is  not  with- 
out some  hesitation  that  I  refer  it  to  the  Tertiary  Forma- 
tion. Future  investigation  may  prove  it  to  be  of  older 
origin,  when  its  fossils  shall  be  obtained  in  a  more  perfect 
state. 

"  No.  2  is  a  specimen  of  the  rock  lying  on  the  above 
stratum,  No.  1,  and  is  about  the  thickness  of  two  feet." 

This  specimen,  nearly  of  the  size  of  the  last,  consists, 
chiefly,  of  a  single  and  imperfect  valve  of  a  large  Ostrea.  It 
appears  to  be  a  compact  calcareous  rock,  with  numerous 
grains  of  dark  green  sand ;  and  besides  the  Ostrea  men- 
tioned above,  Flustrw,  and  a  Teredo  may  be  observed  in 
it.  On  examination,  the  matrix  proved  to  have  nearly 
thirty-two  per  cent  of  carbonate  of  lime.  This  bed  may 
be  referred  to  the  same  Formation  with  the  last. 

"  No.  3.  This  is  the  stratum  from  which  are  taken  the 
specimens  of  organic  remains  in  the  box.  It  is  just  seven- 
teen feet  thick.  This  specimen*  is  a  fair  representation  of 
the  whole  stratum." 

It  is  in  this  stratum  that  the  fossils  described  in  this 
memoir  are  found.  It  is  exceedingly  rich,  and  some  idea 
may  be  formed  of  the  vast  number  of  new  species  contain- 
ed in  it,  when  it  is  recollected  that  I  have  received  from 
Judge  Tait,  at  four  or  five  different  times,  more  than  two 
hundred  and  fifty  species.  Were  I  to  conclude  from  the 
examination  of  what  were  received,  I  would  say  that  this 
is  a  very  small  portion  of  what  will  be  found  in  that 
stratum. 

The  bed  is  composed  of  loose  quartzose,  brownish  sand, 
the  grains  of  which  are  small  and  angular.  The  most 
delicate  specimens  are,  therefore,  with  a  little  caution, 

*  A  very  large  Crassatella,  since  described  by  Mr  Conrad  as  C.  alia. 


24  INTRODUCTION.  •  .-.. 

removed  in  a  perfect  state.  In  the  few  boxes  which  I  have 
received,  seven  shells  are  not  referable  to  any  known  genus, 
and  two  hundred  and  ten  species,  besides  nine  species  of  Po- 
lypi, are  not  referable  to  any  known  species.  These  are  now 
first  described,  and  figured.  Sharks'  teeth  of  several  differ- 
ent forms  ;  part  of  a  claw  of  a  species  of  Cancer;  some 
fragments  of  a  fossil  very  similar  to  what  Brander  figures 
under  the  name  of  Palalium  piscium,  and  the  tooth,  spine 
and  vertebrae  of  fish  were  found  among  the  sand.  In  the 
further  investigation  of  this  stratum,  the  fossil  concholo- 
gist  has  a  field  rich  in  its  products,  and  the  harvest  will 
amply  reward  his  industry. 

"  No.  4.  This  represents  a  thin  stratum  lying  upon  the 
above,  No.  3  ;  it  is  about  eighteen  inches  in  thickness." 

This  specimen  was  large,  and  on  breaking  it  into  frag- 
ments, casts  of  several  genera  were  observed.  The  calca- 
reous matter  of  the  shell  presenting  nothing  more,  ge- 
nerally, than  a  white  powder,  being  completely  de- 
composed, identification  of  species  was  impossible.  The 
genera  which  seem  most  to  prevail,  are  Jlvicula,  Venus, 
Crepidula  and  Turritella,  and  were  I  to  decide  on  the  mat- 
ter, I  should,  perhaps,  refer  them  to  the  same  species 
which  exist  in  the  inferior  stratum,  No.  3.  The  mass  of 
the  rock  is  friable,  easily  separating  into  irregular  pieces, 
and  is  composed  chiefly  of  light  and  dark  green  grains  of 
quartzose  sand.  These  grains  do  not  present  angles,  but 
are  rounded  and  smooth,  and  are  cemented  by  carbonate 
of  lime,  the  analysis  proving  the  mass  to  possess  about 
thirty-three  per  cent.  It  will  scarcely  admit  of  a  doubt, 
that  this  is  of  the  same  epoch  as  the  last  described  stratum. 

"  No.  5.  A  specimen  of  a  stratum,  two  feet  thick,  next 
above  No.  4,  and  lies  under  a  thick  stratum  of  rotten 
limestone,  which  reaches  near  to  the  top  of  the  bluff." 

This  is  a  mass  of  sand  and  shells  slightly  adhering, 
by  an  earthy  ferruginous  matter,  which  gives  a  reddish 


INTRODUCTION.  25 

brown  appearance  to  the  whole.  The  calcareous  matter 
of  the  shells  is  so  much  decomposed  as  to  fall  to  pieces  by 
the  touch.  It  is,  therefore,  almost  impossible  for  a  per- 
fect specimen  to  be  removed  from  its  matrix.  Jlvicula, 
Venericardia,  Nucula,  Venus,  Teredo,  and  a  few  other 
genera,  may  be  observed  in  the  specimen,  and  the  species 
may  be  all,  so  far  as  made  out,  referred  to  those  in  No.  3, 
and,  of  course,  the  stratum  be  referred  to  the  same  epoch. 
In  it  are  fine  specimens  of  the  Scutella  crustuloides  (Morton), 
some  of  which  measure  three  and  a  half  inches  in  diame- 
ter. 

"  No.  6,  is  a  specimen  of  the  stratum,  forty  or  forty-five 
feet  thickness,  and  called  here,  'rotten  limestone.'  " 

"  On  this  layer  of  No.  6,  is  a  deposit  of  sand  and 
gravel,  mixed  with  clay,  of  about  twenty  feet,  through 
which  and  above  the  stratum  No.  6,  break  out  the  Bluff 
springs,  of  which  there  are  many,  say  six  or  eight,  along 
the  Bluff.  In  digging  wells  we  find  water  in  about 
twenty  feet,  in  a  stratum  of  white  sand  and  quartz  pebbles 
of  all  sizes,  from  that  of  a  pea  to  a  pigeon's  egg,  of  different 
forms,  some  flat — some  round — some  elliptical.  These 
pebbles  are  smooth,  as  if  made  so  by  attrition.  All  the 
water  from  this  Bluff,  whether  from  the  springs  or  the 
wells,  is  impregnated  more  or  less  with  carbonate  of  lime. 
The  wells  generally  more  so  than  the  Bluff  springs." 

This  specimen  was  five  or  six  inches  square.  On  frac- 
turing it,  obscure  casts  of  Corbulw,  JVttcw/ce,  and  some  other 
bivalves  could  be  identified  with  some  which  exist  in  No. 
3,  and  the  strata  between.  The  casts  of  a  few  spiral  uni- 
valves were  also  discernible.  A  small  and  very  thin 
Pecten,  with  delicate  ribs,  seemed  to  be  the  only  shell 
which  left  its  trace  in  a  calcareous  state.  On  each  side  of 
the  fracture  a  silvery  whiteness  marks  the  deposit  of  this 
thin  and  fragile  species.  The  mass  of  this  rock,  or  as  it 
might  with  more  propriety,  perhaps,  be  called  indurated 


26  INTRODUCTION. 

clay,  contains  twenty-eight  per  cent  of  carbonate  of 
lime.  Scattered  grains  of  minute  dark  green  sand  may 
be  observed  throughout  the  mass. 

This  stratum  is  the  last  of  this  interesting  Tertiary 
group,  and  upon  it  is  found  the  Diluvium. 


Read  before  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences 
of  Philadelphia,  27ih  August  1833. 


IN  presenting  myself  to  the  Academy  this  evening,  with 
a  paper  on  a  geological  subject,  my  first  duty  is  to  make  my 
acknowledgements  to  the  very  great  kindness  of  the  gentle- 
man who  has,  during  some  years  of  labour,  placed  in  my 
possession  numerous  fossils  from  the  vicinity  of  Claiborne, 
Alabama,  most  of  which  I  have  discovered  to  be  new  spe- 
cies. As  early  as  in  January  1829,  Judge  Tait  first  called 
my  attention  to  the  existence  of  the  "  organic  remains 
that  abound  in  that  part  of  the  state,"  promising  me  at  the 
same  time,  to  make  a  collection  of  them  and  to  forward 
them  to  me.  This  promise  he  redeemed  at  the  close  of 
the  year,  by  sending  me  a  large  quantity  of  the  most  inter- 
esting Tertiary  fossils.  Finding  in  the  same  box  speci- 
mens which  I  suspected  to  be  of  secondary  origin,  I  wrote 
for,  and  subsequently  obtained  from  my  friend,  a  complete 
suite  of  specimens  of  the  various  strata  at  Claiborne,  with 
valuable  notes  and  observations  from  his  pen.  These 
were  sent  in  July  1831.  Unwearied  in  his  efforts  to  place 
in  my  possession  every  thing  that  could  illustrate  the  de- 
posits of  his  vicinity,  that  gentleman  subsequently,  and  at 
different  times,  with  continued  kindness,  sent  me  three  or 


four  boxes  of  these  fossils,  one  of  which,  unfortunately, 
was  lost,  after  its  arrival  at  New  York. 

I  am,  therefore,  indebted  to  Judge  Tait,  for  every  new 
species  described  in  this  paper,  and  to  him  science  owes  the 
great  obligation  of  having  first  brought  them  to  light. 


SYSTEMATIC    INDEX 


OF 


NEW  TERTIARY  FOSSILS  FROM  CLAIBORNE, 
ALABAMA. 


Lunulites  Bouei 

Duclosii  - 

Orbitolites  interstitia 
discoidea 

Turbinolia  Maclurii 
Stokesii  - 
Goldfussii 
nana 
pharetra 

Siliquaria  Claibornensis 

Dentalium  alternatum 
turritura 

Spirorbis  tubanella  - 

Serpula  ornata 

Teredo  simplex 

Solecurtus  Blainvillii 

Anatina  Claibornensis 

Mactra  dentata 
Grayi  - 
pygmaea 


189 

Corbula  Alabamiensis 

45 

190 

Murchisonii 

46 

191 

gibbosa 

46 

192 

compressa  - 

47 

193 

Byssomia  petricoloides     - 

48 

194 

Egeria  rotunda 

50 

195 

inflata  - 

50 

195 

nitens  - 

51 

196 

triangulate    - 

51 

33 

Bucklandii   - 

52 

34 

subtrigonia  • 

53 

35 

veneriformis 

53 

36 

ovalis  ... 

54 

37 

plana   - 

54 

38 

nana    - 

55 

39 

Lucina  compressa    - 

55 

40 

rotunda 

56 

41 

cornuta 

56 

42 

impressa 

57 

44 

papyracea    • 

58 

30 


SYSTEMATIC  INDEX. 


Lucina  lunata 

58 

Avicula  Claibornensis 

86 

Gratelupia  Moulinsii 

59 

Pecten  Deshaysii 

87 

Astarte  recurva 

61 

Lyelli 

88 

Nicklinii     - 

61 

Plicatula  Mantellii   - 

89 

sulcata 

62 

Ostrea  semilunata    - 

90 

parva 

63 

divaricata 

91 

minor 

63 

Alabamiensis 

91 

minutissima        V 

64 

lingua-canis 

92 

Cytherea  globosa      -        •    - 

65 

pincerna 

92 

comia        -        - 

66 

Fissurella  Claibornensis   • 

94 

Hydii 

66 

Hipponix  pygmaea 

95 

subcrassa  • 

67 

Infundibulum  trochiformis 

96 

trigoniata 

67 

Crepidula  cornu-arietes    - 

97 

minima 

68 

Bulla  St  Hillairii 

98 

Venericardia  transversa  - 

68 

Dekayi 

200 

Sillimani     - 

69 

Pasithea  secale         •       .- 

100 

rotunda 

70 

notata 

101 

parva 

70 

lugubris 

101 

Hippagus  isocardioides     - 

72 

aciculata    -        - 

102 

Myoparo  costatus 

74 

striata          -         • 

102 

Area  rhomboidella    - 

74 

sulcata        -         - 

103 

Pectunculus  Broderipii     - 

76 

umbilicata      f    •  '" 

103 

minor  -      n-. 

77 

guttula 

104 

deltoideus    - 

77 

Claibornensis 

104 

ellipsis 

78 

Natica  striata 

105 

obliqua 

78 

parva  - 

106 

Nucula  Sedge  wickii 

79 

minor 

107 

ovula  -        - 

80 

minima 

107 

pectuncularis 

81 

gibbosa 

108 

Brogniarti    - 

82 

semilunata    -     .'•"., 

108 

media 

83 

magno-umbilicata 

109 

pulcherrima 

84 

mamma 

109 

plicata 

85 

Acteon  punctatus     - 

111 

magna 

197 

lineatus 

112 

carinifera     - 

198 

elevatus 

113 

plana  ... 

199 

melanellus 

113 

semen 

200 

striatus 

114 

SYSTEMATIC  INDEX. 


31 


Acteon  pygmaeus 

114 

Cancellaria  sculptura 

140 

Scalaria  planulata     - 

115 

tessellata 

140 

carinata 

116 

elevata  - 

141 

quinquefasciata  - 

116 

costata  • 

141 

Delphinula  plana 

117 

parva     - 

142 

depressa 

118 

Fasciolaria  plicata    - 

143 

Solarium  bilineatum 

119 

elevata  - 

143 

Henrici     - 

119 

Fusus  pulcher  - 

144 

ornatum    • 

120 

Mortonii 

145 

elegans 

121 

decussatus 

145 

cancellatum 

121 

bicarinatus     - 

146 

granulatum 

122 

venustus 

146 

Orbis  rotella    - 

123 

crebissimus    • 

147 

Planaria  nitens 

124 

magnocostatus 

147 

Turbo  naticoides 

125 

Delabechii 

148 

nitens    - 

125 

ornatus  ... 

148 

lineata  - 

126 

acutus    - 

149 

Tuba  striata 

128 

Conybearii     - 

149 

alternata 

128 

nanus    - 

150 

sulcata 

129 

Fittonii 

150 

Turritella  carinata    - 

129 

parvus   - 

151 

lineata 

130 

minor    - 

151 

Cerithium  striatum  - 

131 

Taitii     - 

152 

Pleurotoma  caelata    - 

132 

Pyrula  cancellata 

154 

Lonsdalii 

132 

elegantissima 

155 

Sayi      - 

133 

Smithii 

155 

monilifera 

133 

Murex  alternata 

157 

Baumontii 

134 

Rostellaria  Lamarckii 

158 

Desnoyersii  - 

135 

Cuvieri  - 

160 

Haeninghausii 

135 

Monoceros  pyruloides 

161 

rugosa   - 

136 

fusiformis 

162 

obliqua  - 

136 

sulcatum 

163 

Children! 

137 

Buccinum  Sowerbii 

164 

Lesueurii 

137 

Nassa  cancellata 

165 

Cancellaria  Babylonica     - 

138 

Terebra  gracilis 

166 

multiplicata    - 

139 

costata        - 

166 

plicata  - 

139 

venusta       -      .  *  . 

167 

SYSTEMATIC  INDEX. 


Mitra  lineata    - 

168 

Marginella  semen    - 

178 

minima  • 

168 

ovata 

179 

fusoides  -     ;  -!*»...• 

169 

incurva      it?* 

179 

Flemingii 

170 

biplicata 

201 

Humboldtii     - 

170 

Anolax  gigantea 

180 

Voluta  Defrancii  '•'•*••   ;  V 

171 

plicata  - 

181 

gracilis 

172 

Oliva  constricta        -        «-.'< 

182 

parva    -     «*  t^fte**^1 

173 

gracilis  - 

182 

Vanuxemi    *•        <• 

173 

Greenoughi    - 

183 

striata  -     "'*'  -'<'*•> 

174 

dubia     -        -     •••  • 

183 

Parkinsonii  -     -"*• 

175 

Phillipsii         - 

184 

Cooperii    •.>>•;./*• 

175 

minima  • 

184 

Marginella  anatina  • 

176 

Montoptygma  Alabamiensis 

186 

columba 

177 

elegans 

203 

crassilabra 

177 

Conus  Claibornensis    —  »-.  — 

186 

plicata 

178 

PJL.ATJE  1 


SH1RORHIS 

.  SKRFUI.A 

. TEREDO 

.  SOI.ECl'KTUS 
S.AWATINA 
D.  MACTKA... 


Claiborrunai, 

alternation 

turriban 


M    IIYSS01OA 
17     KUKKIA 

18 

19 


23  BCERIA 


s 


.        ,  ,  .,,    ;       . 


CLASS    ANNULATA. 


ORDER  SEDENTARY  ANNULATA. 

FAMILY  DORSALIA. 

GENUS  SILIQUARIA.     Lamarck. 

S.  Claibornensis.     Plate  1.     Fig.  1. 

Description.  Shell  round  and  spirally  tapering,  longi- 
tudinally and  indistinctly  furrowed;  fissure  inarticulated. 

Observations.  Not  having  obtained  a  complete  specimen, 
I  am  unable  to  give  a  perfect  figure  of  this  species.  Among 
the  fractured  pieces  are  two  which,  by  two  or  three  rapid 
turns,  form  nearly  a  complete  apex.  In  some,  transverse 
septa,  as  mentioned  by  Lamarck,  are  found.  These  are 
very  thin  and  hemispherical,  the  convex  side  being  to- 
wards the  apex.  In  some  fragments  the  fissure  is  closed 
on  the  inside.  I  presume  this  takes  place  below  the  upper 
septum;  but  I  cannot  decide  upon  the  few  specimens  in 
my  possession.  The  furrows  on  some  specimens  are  very 
perceptible,  on  others  obsolete.  One  of  the  fragments  is 


.:3t:     "•  •  f  •     :.  :      CONTRIBUTIONS 

beautifully  sculptured1  by  some  parasitic  animal,  so  as  to 
'-  fesemWe,  in  gome  degree,  the  net  work  of  a  Flustra.  It  is 
entirely  covered  with  this  carved  work,  and  at  the  first 
view  I  thought  this  made  it  specifically  different.  A  fur- 
ther examination,  however,  proved  the  depredator  to  have 
no  particular  preference  to  species  or  genera,  his  workman- 
ship being  on  many  other  shells. 


I  am  not  aware  that  this  genus  has  been  observed  in 
the  strata  of  Great  Britain.  In  the  admirable  tables  of 
M.  Deshayes,  appended  to  the  third  volume  of  Lyell's 
Principles  of  Geology,  we  have  six  species,  five  of  which 
are  found  in  the  Paris  basin,  the  Eocene  of  Mr  Lyell. 

The  genus  has  not,  to  my  knowledge,  before  been  ob- 
served in  any  of  the  formations  of  our  country. 


FAMILY  MALDANIA. 

GENUS  DENTALIUM.     Lmnasus. 

D.  alternatum.     Plate  1.     Fig.  2. 

Description.  Shell  very  slightly  curved,  with  about  six- 
teen longitudinal  ribs  alternating  with  as  many  smaller 
ones ;  near  the  base  furnished  with  irregular  lines  of 
growth  ;  aperture  round. 

Length  about  1  and  3-4ths  inches. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  35 

Observations.  The  alternation  of  larger  and  smaller  ribs 
seems  to  distinguish  this  species ;  except  from  that  of  a 
living  one,  the  dentalis  of  Lamarck,  which  is  not  so  robust 
a  shell,  while  the  cardinal  ribs  are  larger.  Var.  B.  (fossil) 
I  have  not  seen,  but  "  costis  majoribus  planulatus"  renders 
it  different.  It  differs  in  the  ribs  entirely  from  the  attenua- 
tum  (Say),  and  is  a  thicker  shell.  In  some  specimens  the 
alternations  are  not  entirely  regular. 


D.  tunitum.     Plate  1.     Fig.  3. 

Description.  Shell  slightly  curved,  smooth,  polished, 
rather  thin;  posterior  termination  furnished  with  four 
turret-like  appendages ;  aperture  round. 

Observations.  A  single  specimen  only  of  this  curious 
species  has  come  under  my  notice.  The  turreted  form  of 
the  posterior  or  smaller  termination  does  not  seem  to  have 
been  noticed  in  any  of  the  ten  species  described  by  Sowerby, 
nor  in  the  twenty-one  by  Lamarck.  The  space  between 
the  turrets  is  festoon  like.  This  remarkable  termination 
eminently  distinguishes  it  from  all  other  species  yet  de- 
scribed. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 


In  Great  Britain  fourteen  species  have  been  obtained 
from  the  Lias  to  the  Crag.  Four  are  mentioned  by  Sow- 
erby as  being  in  the  London  Clay.  M.  Deshayes's  tables 
give  thirty-four,  of  which  thirteen  are  from  the  Paris  basin, 


36  CONTRIBUTIONS 

the  Eocene  period.  In  this  country  Dr  Morton  has  observed 
casts  in  the  Upper  Green  Sand  of  New  Jersey  and  Dela- 
ware, and  Mr  Say  one  species,  the  attenuatum,  in  the 
Tertiary  of  Maryland. 


FAMILY  SERPULEA. 

GENUS  SPIRORBIS.     Lamarck. 

S.  tubanella.     Plate  1.     Pig.  4. 

Description.  Shell  discoidal,  concave  in  the  centre,  sub- 
carinate  above;  whorls  about  three,  contiguous  ;  aperture 
round  and  enlarged. 

Diara.  less  than  l-10th  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  minute  species  was  found  attached 
to  the  inner  side  of  the  valve  of  a  Plicatula.  Of  eleven  spe- 
cimens thus  attached,  eight  are  sinistral  and  three  dextral. 


I  am  not  aware  of  this  species  having  been  observed  in 
Great  Britain.  Lamarck  describes  one  species  from  Grig- 
non.  It  has  not,  I  believe,  before  been  observed  in  the 
strata  of  this  country. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  37 


GENUS  SERPULA. 

S.  ornata.     Plate  1.     Fig.  5. 

Description.  Shell  granulate,  below  furnished  with 
three  squamose  carinse. 

Observations.  Having  a  single  specimen  only  of  this  spe- 
cies, it  is  difficult  to  decide  on  its  characteristics.  The 
beautiful  granulations  which  cover  the  superior  part,  and 
the  squamose  carinee  will,  I  presume,  be  usually  if  not  al- 
ways found  to  exist  on  it.  The  form,  however,  of  different 
individuals  will  most  likely  differ.  The  one  above  described 
takes  one  turn  to  the  right,  then  three  to  the  left,  forming  a 
disk,  the  inferior  portion  being  widely  umbilicated.  It  has 
some  resemblance  to  the  granulata  (Sowerby),  but  differs  in 
having  carinse. 


Of  the  twenty-seven  species  found  in  England,  two 
only  have  been  discovered  in  the  London  Clay.  The 
genus  seems  to  have  prevailed  more  extensively  in  the 
chalk  and  inferior  formations.  Five  species  are  described  by 
Lamarck,  and  chiefly  from  Grignon.  In  the  Upper  Green 
Sand  of  New  Jersey  and  Delaware,  Dr  Morton  has  found 
one  species.  In  the  Tertiary  of  Maryland,  Mr  Say  observed 
one,  the  granifera. 


38  CONTRIBUTIONS 


CONCHIFERA  BIMUSCULOSA. 


FAMILY  TUBICOLARIA. 

GENUS  TEREDO.     lAnnaus. 

T.  simplex.     Plate  1.     Fig.  6. 

Description.  Shell  thick,  slightly  curved,  smooth  exte- 
riorly, tapering. 

Observations.  Possessing  but  two  or  three  fragments  of 
the  shell,  it  is  impossible  to  make  a  perfect  description.  It 
differs  from  the  navalis  (Lam.)  in  the  substance  of  the  shell 
being  thicker,  and  from  the  tibialis  of  Morton  in  being  less 
thick,  the  cavity  of  that  shell  being  very  small.  It  has  no 
transverse  striae  like  the  antenautoz  of  Sowerby. 


In  England  one  species  only  seems  to  have  been  ob- 
served, and  that  by  Sowerby  in  the  London  Clay.  In  the 
Tertiary  tables  of  M.  Deshayes  we  find  five  species,  of 
which  three  are  from  the  Paris  basin.  Dr  Morton  has, 
from  the  Chalk  of  New  Jersey,  described  a  fine  species — 
the  tibialis. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  39 


FAMILY  SOLENACEA. 

GENUS  SOLECURTUS.     Blamville. 

S.  Blainvillil     Plate  1.     Fig.  7. 

Description.  Shell  trapezoidal,  rather  compressed,  nearly 
equilateral,  transversely  and  minutely  striate,  truncate  be- 
hind; beaks  very  small ;  escutcheon  long  and  deeply  im- 
pressed ;  teeth  two,  the  anterior  one  large  and  erect,  the 
posterior  small  and  oblique ;  margin  entire. 

Diam Length  .8,  Breadth  1.3,  inches, 

Observations.  M.  de  Blainville  has  with  great  propriety 
divided  the  genus  Soleny  placing  those  with  the  teeth  nearly 
medial  under  the  generic  name  of  Solecurtis.  Several  of 
Lamarck's  fossil  Solenes  fall  under  this  division.  One  spe- 
cies of  the  true  Solen  (S.  affinis,  Sowerby)  is  found  in  the 
London  Clay.  The  present  species  resembles  most  the 
strigilatus  (Lamarck),  but  differs  in  being  more  compressed 
and  less  gaping. 

Mr  Sowerby  (Mineral.  Conch.  Tab.  462)  represents  a 
shell  very  similar  to  this  in  form  and  size,  under  the 
name  Sanguinolaria  compressa.  In  the  description  the 
teeth  are  not  mentioned.  I  should  suppose  from  an  ex- 
amination of  the  figure  that  it  was  a  true  Solecurtus. 
Mr  S.  says  it  belongs  strictly  to  Azor  of  Leach. 

I  have  great  gratification  in  dedicating  this  species  to 


40  CONTRIBUTIONS 

M.  de  Blainville,  the  founder  of  the  genus;  who  by  his 
talents  and  industry  has  contributed  so  eminently  to  the 
improvement  and  dissemination  of  the  knowledge  of  na- 
tural history.  This  tribute  to  his  worth  affords  me  pecu- 
liar pleasure,  estimating  as  I  do  his  amiable  character  and 
great  acquirements. 


FAMILY  MY  ARIA. 

GENUS  ANATINA.     Lamarck. 

A.  Claibornensis.     Plate  1.     Fig.  8. 

Description.  A  portion  of  the  hinge  only  of  this  shell  has 
come  under  my  notice,  consisting  of  the  apophysis,  the  point 
of  the  beak,  and  a  small  part  of  the  dorsal  margin  behind 
the  beak.  The  apophysis  is  elliptical,  and  small  compara- 
tively with  the  thickness  of  the  valve  in  that  region.  The 
figure  is  a  good  representation  of  the  part  described,  and 
it  will  be  observed  that  the  substance  of  the  shell  is  much 
thicker  than  any  described  species.  The  pearly  nacre 
which  distinguishes  most  of  the  genus  is  very  observable 
in  this. 


I  am  not  aware  of  this  genus  having  been  before  ob- 
served in  a  fossil  state,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  exer- 
tions of  naturalists  now  interested  in  investigating  this 
formation  will  bring  to  light  perfect  specimens  of  this 
interesting  shell. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  41 


FAMILY  MACTRACEA. 

GENUS  MACTRA.     Linnaus. 

M.  dentata.     Plate  1.     Fig.  9. 

Description.  Fragments  only  of  this  species  have  come 
into  my  possession.  Two  of  them  consist  of  a  large  portion 
of  the  hinge  of  the  two  valves.  The  one  represented  here  is 
of  the  left  valve,  which  is  remarkable  for  a  small  lamellar 
tooth  passing  from  the  point  of  the  beak  directly  between  the 
cardinal  tooth  and  the  cavity  of  the  ligament  (fossette). 
The  cardinal  tooth  is  as  usual  angular,  and  the  anterior 
portion  is  obliquely  notched.  Behind  the  beak,  imme- 
diately under  the  dorsal  margin,  there  exists,  apparently, 
a  long  groove  closed  over  near  to  the  beak.  The  right 
valve  is  only  perfect  enough  to  exhibit  the  cardinal  tooth 
and  anterior  portion  of  the  hinge.  The  anterior  portion  of 
this  tooth  is  divided  into  three  distinct  parts,  all  of  which 
are  lamellar.  The  groove  on  this  anterior  portion  is  en- 
tirely uncovered,  and  at  the  bottom  is  angular.  I  cannot 
with  absolute  certainty  say  that  these  two  fractured  hinges 
belong  to  the  same  species,  but  until  perfect  specimens  are 
obtained  they  must  be  so  considered.  They  both  have  a 
remarkably  thin  disk,  in  proportion  to  the  largeness  of  the 
hinge ;  and  the  concentric  striae,  which  are  minute,  are 
apparently,  on  the  fracture  of  the  beaks  which  remain, 


42  CONTRIBUTIONS 

precisely  the  same.     The  seat  of  the  hinge  within  the 
cavity  of  the  beaks  forms  quite  a  level  plate. 

Observations.  This  is  certainly  a  very  curious  and  in- 
teresting hinge,  and  when  we  shall  be  able  to  see  the 
whole  of  it  in  connexion  with  the  other  portion  of  the  shell, 
it  may  be  found  convenient  to  erect  it  into  a  new  genus. 

M.  Grayi.     Plate  1.     Fig.  10. 

Description.  Shell  ovately  triangular,  solid,  nearly  equi- 
lateral, obtusely  angular  behind,  obscurely  stria te;  beaks 
rather  pointed ;  cardinal  teeth  angular ;  lateral  teeth  nearly 
equally  produced,  crossed  by  equidistant  minute  striae;  ex- 
cavation of  the  palleal  impression  small,  obtusely  anguar; 
posterior  and  anterior  cicatrices  deeply  impressed ;  cavity  of 
the  valve  rather  shallow,  of  the  beaks  deep  and  sudden. 

Diam.  N.3,  Length  .5,  Breadth  .6,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  interesting  little  species  resembles 
in  the  transverse  striae  of  the  lateral  teeth  the  M.  arctata 
(Conrad)  and  M.  donacia  (Lamarck),  both  of  which  are 
furnished  with  striae  on  the  anterior  as  well  as  on  the  pos- 
terior lateral  teeth.  Lamarck  seems  not  to  have  observed 
this  highly  interesting  character,  as  he  has  not  mentioned 
it.  Mr  Conrad  only  mentions  their  being  on  the  "  poste- 
rior lateral  tooth."  The  cavity  of  the  beak  has  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  hole  made  in  the  solid  part  beneath  the  hinge, 
and  possibly  may  have  had  a  muscular  attachment  there. 

I  have  had  some  doubt  if  these  species  should  remain 
with  the  genus  Mactra,  but  for  the  present  it  is,  perhaps, 


TO  GEOLOGY.  43 

better  they  should.  They  there  form  a  beautiful  na- 
tural group.  While  in  London  last  summer,  Mr  Gray 
showed  me  in  the  British  Museum  a  specimen  of  the 
M.  arctata,  the  habitat  of  which  he  was  not  before  ac- 
quainted with,  and  which  he  informed  me  he  had  de- 
scribed in  one  of  the  scientific  journals  of  London  eight  or 
ten  years  previously  as  an  Erycina. 

Mr  Conrad,  being  now  actively  engaged  in  investigating 
the  fossils  of  some  of  our  southern  formations,  may  be  able 
to  throw  further  light  on  this  subject. 

Some  European  naturalists  consider  the  J\factra  donacia 
(Lamarck)  as  an  Erycina.  I  have  never  seen  the  E.  car- 
dioides  of  Lamarck,  the  type  and  only  species  described  by 
him.  Cuvier  says  the  Erycince  approach  the  Mactrce,  and 
are  but  badly  characterised.  The  same  author  says  "  the 
Jlmphidesmw  appear  to  approach  the  Mactrce,  but  they  are 
too  imperfectly  known  to  have  any  distinctive  character 
assigned  to  them."  Lamarck  described  sixteen  species  of 
J2mphidesmce  in  1819,  and  as  many  more  have  probably  been 
described  since.  I  cannot  understand  how  there  can  be  any 
difficulty  in  regard  to  this  genus.  The  Jlmphidesmce,  never 
have  the  angular  cardinal  tooth,  so  remarkable  and  striking 
in  the  Mactrw,  and  this  alone  is  sufficient  to  separate  them. 
The  chief  character  by  which  Lamarck  makes  the  division, 
viz.  the  existence  of  an  external  as  well  as  internal  liga- 
ment ("  par  ce  rapport  singulier,  d'avoir  deux  ligamens"), 
cannot  be  maintained,  as  many,  perhaps  all  the  Madron 
have  an  external  ligament,  generally  small,  as  well  as  an 
internal  one;  but  in  the  M.  solidissima  (Chemnitz)  it  is  very 
perceptible,  being,  in  a  large  specimen,  quite  half  an  inch  long. 
The  lateral  teeth  of  the  Jlmphidesmw  also  differ  greatly. 


44  CONTRIBUTIONS 

In  dedicating  this  species  to  my  friend  John  Edward 
Grey,  I  must  take  occasion  to  make  my  acknowledge- 
ments for  the  advantages  derived  from  the  numerous  and 
excellent  memoirs  which  have  come  from  his  pen,  and 
for  many  personal  services  while  in  Europe. 

M.  pygmaza. .  Plate  1.     Fig.  11. 

Description.  Shell  triangular,  very  thin,  nearly  equilate- 
ral, somewhat  inflated,  more  produced  before  than  behind, 
very  indistinctly  striate,  shining ;  beaks  rather  elevated, 
pointed  ;  cardinal  teeth  large  ;  lateral  teeth  small ;  cavity 
of  the  beaks  wide  and  deep. 

Diam.  3-20ths,         Length  4-20ths,        Breadth  7-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  small  species  is  remarkable  for  being 
more  produced  before  than  behind.  In  this  respect  it  differs 
from  the  lateralis  of  Say,  to  which  it  has  some  resemblance, 
though  smaller.  Immediately  at  the  angle  of  the  cardinal 
tooth,  and  below  the  point  of  the  beak,  there  is  a  small 
apophysis,  which  I  have  not  observed  in  other  species. 
In  the  specimens  of  my  cabinet,  the  muscular  impress- 
ions cannot  be  perceived  with  a  common  microscope. 


The  genus  Mactra  does  not  seem  to  have  been  noticed 
in  England  below  the  Crag.  M.  Al.  Brogniart  (Terrains 
du  Vicentin)  describes  Mactra  ?  erebea  and  Mactra  ?  sirena 
from  the  calcar6o-trappeens  of  the  Val-Ronca.  This  I 
believe  belongs  to  his  Terrain  Thelassique,  equivalent  to  the 
Tertiary.  He  has,  however,  some  doubts  of  their  being 


TO  GEOLOGY.  45 

true  Mactrffi.  From  the  description  and  figures,  I  should 
not  hesitate  to  abstract  them  from  that  genus.  M.  De- 
shayes  gives  fourteen  species  in  his  Tertiary  Tables,  six 
are  from  the  Miocene  of  Bourdeaux  and  Dax.  In  this  coun- 
try, Mr  Say  seems  first  to  have  observed  it  in  the  Tertiary 
of  Maryland.*  More  recently  Mr  Conrad  has  discovered 
in  the  same  formation  two  new  species,  M.  ponderosa,  at 
St  Mary's  river,  Maryland,  and  J\f.  delumbis,  at  St  James's 
river,  near  Smithfield,  Virginia. 


FAMILY  CORBULEA. 


GENUS  CORBULA.     Brugiere. 

C.  Jllabamiensis.     Plate  1.     Fig.  12. 

Description.  Shell  inflated,  triangular-ovate,  angular 
behind,  transversely  and  finely  striate,  inequilateral,  very 
inequivalve,  anterior  part  the  larger ;  beaks  incurved  and 
rather  pointed  ;  tooth  of  the  right  valve  large,  pointed  and 
fitting  under  the  beak  of  the  left  valve ;  posterior  basal 
margin  straight  or  slightly  emarginated ;  the  two  great 
cicatrices  distinctly  impressed  ;  cavity  of  the  valves  deep. 

Diam.  7-20ths,  Length  .4,  Breadth  .7,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  is  the  largest  species  I  have  seen 
from  our  formations.  It  has  a  strong  resemblance  to  C. 

*  Journal  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia,  vol.  43 
p.  152. 


46  CONTRIBUTIONS 

revoluta  (Sowerby),  but  seems  to  differ  in  the  angle  of  the 
posterior  part. 

C.  Murchisonil     Plate  1.     Fig.  13. 

Description.  She'll  much  inflated,  triangular,  subbian- 
gulate  behind,  nearly  equilateral,  very  inequivalve  ;  right 
valve  covered  with  regular,  large,  transverse  ribs,  which 
terminate  at  the  sharp  carina  of  the  umbonial  slope  ;  left 
valve  smooth  or  slightly  wrinkled,  with  two  or  three  obscure 
ribs  passing  from  the  beak  to  the  basal  margin,  and  a  linear 
umbonial  slope,  posterior  to  which  there  is  a  deep  fold ; 
beaks  very  large  and  incurved  ;  tooth  and  pit  of  the  left 
valve  large  ;  posterior  slope  truncate,  furnished  with  a  dou- 
ble carina  on  the  right  valve  and  a  single  carina  and  fold 
on  the  left.  Cicatrices  not  distinctly  impressed  ;  cavity 
of  the  beaks  very  deep. 
Diam.  .3,  Length  .5,  Breadth  .6,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  I  have  peculiar  pleasure  in  dedicating  this 
curious  and  beautiful  species  to  the  late  president  of  the 
Geological  Society  of  London,  who,  by  his  numerous  and 
excellent  papers  on  geology,  has  eminently  contributed  to 
promote  a  knowledge  of  his  favourite  science.  The  Mur- 
chisonii  is  remarkable  for  the  great  disparity  of  the  size  of 
its  valves,  and  their  total  dissimilarity.  It  has  some  re- 
semblance to  the  elegans  (Sowerby). 

C.  gibbosa.     Plate  1.     Fig.  14. 

Description.  Shell  very  transverse,  somewhat  inflated, 
nearly  equilateral,  very  inequivalve,  on  the  right  valve 


TO  GEOLOGY.  47 

transversely  and  distinctly  striate,  on  the  left  valve  trans- 
versely and  minutely  striate  ;  beaks  elevated,  incurved  ; 
umbonial  slope  with  a  double  carina  on  the  right  valve, 
on  the  left  a  single  carina  and  indistinct  fold.  Cicatrices 
not  distinctly  marked  ;  cavity  of  the  beaks  rather  deep. 
Diam.  .2,  Length  .3,  Breadth  .5,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  has  some  resemblance  to  the 
Murchisonii,  but  differs  in  being  more  transverse,  in  being 
more  produced  behind,  in  having  a  more  obtuse  carina,  and 
in  being  less  inflated. 


C.  compressa.     Plate  1.     Fig.  15. 

Description.  Shell  triangular-ovate,  compressed,  equi- 
lateral, inequivalve,  concentrically  and  finely  striate  on 
both  valves  ;  beaks  slightly  elevated,  incurved  ;  umbonial 
slope  with  a  double  carina  on  the  right  valve,  and  a  single 
one  on  the  left ;  cicatrices  not  distinctly  marked ;  cavity 
of  the  beaks  shallow. 

Diam.  .1,  Length  .2,  Breadth  5-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Not  easily  confounded  with  the  preceding 
species,  being  smaller  and  having  both  valves  similarly 
striate. 


The  Corbulm  seem  to  pervade  most  of  the  formations 
from  the  Mountain  Limestone  to  the  Crag.  Mr  Sowerby 
describes  one  (the  nitida)  from  the  Upper  Freshwater  of  the 


48  CONTRIBUTIONS 

Isle  of  Wight,  and  three  from  the  London  Clay,  of  which 
the  bed  from  which  the  above  were  obtained  is  the  equi- 
valent in  Alabama.  Eighteen  species  in  all  have  been 
observed  in  the  various  formations  of  Great  Britain.  In 
the  Tertiary  Tables  of  M.  Deshayes  we  have  thirty-five 
species,  twenty-one  of  which  are  found  in  the  Paris  basin 
(the  Eocene).  In  this  country  Mr  Say  has  described 
three  from  the  Tertiary  of  Maryland,  and  Mr  Conrad  one 
from  the  Tertiary  of  Claiborne. 


FAMILY  LITHOPHAGA. 

GENUS  BYSSOMIA.     Cuvier. 

B.  petrieoloides.    Plate  1.     Fig.  16. 

Description.  Shell  subcylindrical,  very  thin,  very  trans- 
verse, indistinctly  striate,  on  the  posterior  part  obliquely 
and  obsoletely  folded  ;  beaks  scarcely  perceptible  ;  pos- 
terior and  anterior  cicatrices  perceptible. 

Length  .1,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 


Observations.  With  much  doubt  I  have  placed  this  shell 
in  Cuvier's  genus  Byssomia.  It  agrees  better  with  his 
description  of  that  genus  than  any  one  I  know.*  Unfor- 
tunately I  obtained  but  a  single  valve,  and  that  is  imper- 

*  He  says  the  shell  is  oblong,  and  has  no  "  marked  tooth,"  and  that  it 
penetrates  into  stone,  coral,  &c. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  49 

feet.  It  has  a  strong  resemblance  to  Petricola  pholadiformis 
(Lamarck)  (P.fornicata,  Say),  but  is  to  appearance  entirely 
without  teeth,  having  several  irregular  folds  about  the  beak. 
It  differs  also  in  the  exterior  folds  or  ribs,  which  are,  in  the 
pholadiformis ,  marked  and  situated  on  the  anterior  part. 


FAMILY  NYMPHACEA. 

GENUS  EGERIA.     (JVofcfe.) 

Description.  Shell  subrotund  or  sub  triangular  ;  margin 
sometimes  crenulate  ;  hinge  variable,  sometimes  with  two 
lateral  teeth  ;  cardinal  teeth  two  in  each  valve,  diverging, 
one  bifid  ;  ligament  external. 

Observations.  Unable  to  place  a  considerable  group  of 
shells,  bearing  in  the  cardinal  teeth  the  same  character, 
in  any  genus  with  which  I  am  acquainted,  I  propose  to 
found  a  new  genus  for  them,  the  proper  place  of  which 
would  be  between  Sanguinolaria  and  Psammobia.  The 
cardinal  teeth  have  some  resemblance  to  the  Lutricola  of 
Blainville,  but  that  able  naturalist  does  not  mention  a  bifid 
tooth,  nor  is  it  so  figured  in  his  work.  Although  there  is 
considerable  dissimilarity  in  the  form  of  the  several  species 
of  this  genus,  some  being  more  round  and  others  triangu- 
lar, the  two  diverging  cardinal  teeth,  one  being  bifid,  will 
always  be  found  characteristic  of  the  genus. 


50  CONTRIBUTIONS 


E.  rotunda.     Plate  1.     Fig.  17. 

Description.  Shell  rotund,  compressed,  angular  above, 
subequilateral,  minutely  and  concentrically  striate ;  sub- 
stance of  the  shell  thick  ;  beaks  elevated,  pointed ;  cica- 
trices deeply  impressed,  several  visible  in  the  centre  of  the 
cavity  of  the  beaks ;  cavity  of  the  shell  shallow,  rugose, 
cavity  of  the  beaks  subangular  ;  margin  entire. 

Diam.  .3,  Length  .9,  Breadth  .9,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  The  resemblance  in  outline  between  this 
species  and  the  nana,  hereafter  to  be  described,  is  very 
great.  It  may  be  distinguished,  however,  from  it  by  its 
finer  concentric  striae,  and  its  larger  size.  The  nana  is 
always  more  oblique.  The  figure  represents  the  usual 
size,  but  it  is  sometimes  found  one  third  larger. 

E.  inflata.     Plate  1.     Fig.  18. 

Description.  Shell  subrotund,  rather  transverse,  inflat- 
ed, subequilateral,  very  finely  and  concentrically  striate ; 
substance  of  the  shell  very  thin  ;  beaks  rather  elevated  ; 
posterior  slope  furnished  with  an  indistinct  fold.  Cica- 
trices scarcely  perceptible ;  cavity  of  the  shell  much  ex- 
cavated, of  the  beak  deep  and  rounded  ;  margin  entire. 

Diam.  .2,  Length  7-20ths,  Breadth  7-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Differs  from  the  rotunda  in  being  more 
transverse,  in  the  substance  of  the  shell  being  much  thin- 


TO  GEOLOGY.  51 

ner,  and  in  being  more  inflated.     The  dorsal  margin  is 
but  slightly  curved. 

E.  nitens.     Plate  1.     Fig.  19. 

Description.  Shell  subelliptical,  obliquely  transverse, 
inequilateral,  the  anterior  portion  being  much  the  larger, 
rather  compressed,  smooth  and  shining ;  substance  of  the 
shell  very  thin  ;  posterior  slope  lightly  folded ;  beaks  ele- 
vated, pointed  ;  cicatrices  scarcely  perceptible  ;  cavity  of 
the  shell  not  deep,  of  the  beak  rather  deep ;  margin  entire. 

Diam.  .1,  Length  5-20ths,  Breadth  6-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  At  first  view  this  species  might  be  taken 
for  the  inftata.  On  examination  it  will  be  easily  distin- 
guished by  its  polish,  its  obliquity,  and  particularly  by  the 
great  disparity  of  the  size  of  the  anterior  portion  of  the 
shell,  the  inflata  being  nearly  equilateral. 

E.  triangulata.     Plate  1.     Fig.  20. 

Description.  Shell  triangular,  inequilateral,  smooth,  ob- 
tusely angular  before,  acutely  angular  at  top,  gibbous  over 
the  umbo — anterior  to  which  it  is  flattened ;  substance  of 
the  shell  rather  thin  ;  posterior  and  anterior  slopes  flatten- 
ed ;  beaks  elevated,  pointed,  incurved ;  basal  margin  emar- 
ginate ;  cicatrices  not  perceptible  ;  cavity  of  the  shell  deep 
in  the  superior  part — of  the  beak  deep  and  angular ;  in- 
ferior portion  of  the  margin  finely  crenulate. 

Diam Length  .1,  Breadth  1.2,  inches. 


52  CONTRIBUTIONS 

Observations.  A  single  valve  of  this  interesting  species 
has  come  into  my  possession.  It  is  the  left  one.  Its  beau- 
tiful form  eminently  distinguishes  it.  The  exterior  portion 
of  the  valve  is  not  perfect,  and  characters  not  observed  on 
this  specimen  may  be,  perhaps,  found  on  perfect  ones. 

E.  Bucklandii.     Plate  1.     Fig.  21. 

Description.  Shell  sub  triangular,  somewhat  inflated, 
inequilateral,  polished,  obtusely  angular  before  and  at 
top ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thin ;  posterior  and  an- 
terior slopes  somewhat  flattened;  beaks  somewhat  ele- 
vated, pointed,  incurved  ;  cavity  of  the  shell  not  very  deep  ; 
inferior  portion  of  the  margin  finely  crenulate. 

Diam.  .  .  .  v"  '<  Length  .7,  Breadth  1,  inch. 

Observations.  Like  the  last  described,  a  single  valve 
of  this  beautiful  species  only  has  been  found.  It  was 
taken  out  of  a  mass  in  about  a  dozen  pieces  and  recon- 
structed. It  resembles  the  triangulata  in  many  of  its  cha- 
racters, but  is  more  transverse,  and  is  neither  flat  nor  gib- 
bous on  the  exterior.  In  outline,  it  has  some  resemblance 
to  a  Donax. 


In  dedicating  this  species  to  the  distinguished  author  of 
the  "  Reliquiae  Diluvianse,"  I  will  take  the  opportunity  to 
make  my  acknowledgements  for  the  pleasure  and  advan- 
tages derived  from  his  various  writings.  Few  geologists 
of  Europe  have,  with  the  same  success,  cultivated  the 


TO  GEOLOGY.  53 

science  of  geology,  and  very  few  have  laboured  more  suc- 
cessfully to  add  new  facts  to  establish  its  philosophy. 

E.  subtrigonia.     Plate  1.     Fig.  22. 

Description.  Shell  subtriangular,  somewhat  inflated, 
inequilateral,  polished,  obtusely  angular  before  and  at  top; 
substance  of  the  shell  thin  ;  anterior  slope  furnished  with 
a  small  fold  ;  beaks  slightly  elevated,  pointed ;  cicatrices 
perceptible ;  cavity  of  the  shell  rather  shallow ;  inferior 
portion  of  the  margin  minutely  crenulate. 

Diam.  .2,  Length  .3,  Breadth  .5,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  There  is  a  very  close  resemblance  be- 
tween this  and  the  Bucklandii,  and  had  there  not  been  so 
much  disparity  in  the  size  of  the  shell  and  thickness  of  the 
valve,  I  should  not  have  been  disposed  to  separate  them. 
The  valves  of  three  specimens  are  before  me.  They  are 
of  the  same  size,  and  have  every  appearance  of  being  adult. 

E.  veneriformis.     Plate  1.     Fig.  23. 

Description.  Shell  ovately  triangular,  transverse,  rather 
compressed,  inequilateral,  polished ;  substance  of  the  shell 
thin  ;  beaks  pointed  ;  cicatrices  perceptible  ;  cavity  of  the 
beaks  shallow ;  inferior  portion  of  the  margin  very  mi- 
nutely crenulate. 

Diam.  3-20ths,  Length  .2,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  small  species  has  a  close  resem- 
blance to  the  last  described.  It  differs  chiefly  in  size  and 


54  CONTRIBUTIONS 

in  being  more  equilateral.     It  is  very  common  in  this 
stratum. 

E.  ovalis.     Plate  1.     Fig.  24. 

Description.  Shell  transversely  elliptical,  compressed, 
very  inequilateral,  furnished  with  two  lamellar  lateral 
teeth,  covered  with  minute  concentric  striee,  which,  termi- 
nating at  the  anterior  slope,  are  replaced  by  larger  ones 
which  there  interlock ;  substance  of  the  shell  very  thin  ; 
beaks  small  and  pointed  ;  cavity  of  the  shell  very  shallow  ; 
margin  entire. 

Diam.  ,1,  Length  .2,  Breadth  .4,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  beautiful  little  species  differs  much 
from  the  four  last  described.  The  cardinal  teeth  are  the 
same,  but  this  is  furnished  with  a  small  lamellar  tooth 
diverging  on  each  side  of  the  cardinal  teeth.  The  termi- 
nation of  the  concentric  striae,  which  pass  from  the  pos- 
terior slope,  interlocking  with  those  which  cover  the 
anterior  slope,  is  very  remarkable. 

E.  plana.     Plate  1.     Fig.  25. 

Description.  Shell  scaleniform,  very  compressed,  trans- 
verse, very  inequilateral,  smooth  and  shining,  furnished 
with  two  lamellar  lateral  teeth ;  substance  of  the  shell 
very  thin ;  beaks  very  small  and  pointed ;  cavity  of  the 
shell  extremely  shallow  ;  margin  entire. 

Diam.  nearly  .1,          Length  .2,  Breadth  7-20ths,  of  an  inch. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  55 

Observations.  Differs  from  the  ovalis,  which  it  most  resem- 
bles, in  being  smooth,  more  compressed  and  more  angular. 

E.  nana.     Plate  1.     Fig.  26. 

Description.  Shell  rotundo-oblique,  compressed,  angu- 
lar above,  subequilateral,  concentrically  striate;  substance 
of  the  shell  rather  thin  ;  beaks  pointed ;  cicatrices  imper- 
ceptible ;  cavity  of  the  shell  shallow — of  the  beak  angu- 
lar ;  margin  entire. 

Diam.  .1,  Length  5-20ths,  Breadth  5-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Closely  resembles  the  rotunda.  It  has, 
however,  somewhat  larger  concentric  striae — is  a  much 
smaller  shell,  and  is  more  oblique. 


GENUS  LUCINA.     Lamarck. 

L.  compressa.     Plate  1.     Fig.  27. 

Description.  Shell  subrotund,  much  compressed,  very 
finely  and  concentrically  striate,  equilateral ;  beaks  small 
and  pointed  ;  lunule  small  and  cordate ;  anterior  cicatrix 
deeply  impressed,  extending  nearly  to  the  basal  margin  ; 
palleal  impression  irregular ;  cavity  of  the  shell  shallow 
and  rough,  having  an  impressed  furrow  across  its  centre ; 
margin  entire. 

Diam.  .6,  Length  1.5,  Breadth  1.7,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.     This  species  is  very  fragile,  scarcely  bear- 


56  CONTRIBUTIONS 

ing  to  be  moved.     Its  rough  interior  and  large  deeply  im- 
pressed anterior  cicatrix  are  remarkable. 

L.  rotunda.     Plate  1.     Fig.  28. 

Description.  Shell  orbicular,  compressed,  equilateral, 
concentrically  and  finely  striate,  tlattish  over  the  umbones, 
folded  before  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick  ;  lunule  small, 
lanceolate  ;  beaks  very  small,  pointed,  recurved  ;  cardinal 
teeth  indistinct;  cicatrices  impressed,  the  anterior  one 
rather  long ;  lines  of  growth  numerous  near  the  margin  ; 
cavity  of  the  shell  very  shallow,  having  rather  a  large  fur- 
row across  its  centre  ;  margin  entire. 

Diam.  .6,  Length  1.1,  Breadth  1.1,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Single  valves  of  two  individuals  only  have 
come  into  my  possession.  Its  orbicular  form  and  beautiful 
concentric  striae  distinguish  this  species.  In  these  two 
specimens  there  are  no  marks  of  growth  except  near  to 
the  margin,  where  on  one  specimen  there  are  four,  on  the 
other  seven.  These  cause  a  thickening  of  the  margin. 

L.  cornuta.     Plate  1.     Fig.  29. 

Description.  Shell  orbicular,  ventricose,  inequilateral, 
concentrically  striate,  angular  before,  folded  and  emargin- 
ate  behind  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick  ;  lunule  impress- 
ed, being  bounded  by  a  ridge ;  beaks  elevated,  pointed, 
recurved ;  anterior  lateral  tooth  nearly  round,  equidistant 
between  the  beak  and  angle  ;  posterior  lateral  tooth  some- 
what compressed,  equidistant  between  the  beak  and  fold  ; 


TO  GEOLOGY.  57 

the  two  great  cicatrices  raised  and  very  perceptible,  the 
anterior  one  long ;  lines  of  growth  three  or  four,  and  very 
marked  ;  cavity  of  the  shell  deep  and  rounded,  having  an 
impressed  furrow  across  the  centre  ;  margin  crenulate. 
Diara Length  9-20ths,  Breadth  9-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  single  valve  only  of  this  beautiful  and 
interesting  species  has  been  obtained  by  me.  It  does  not 
closely  resemble  any  species  recent  or  fossil  which  I  have 
seen.  The  horn  or  protruding  angle  on  the  anterior  mar- 
gin, formed  by  the  bounding  ridge  of  the  lunule,  at  once 
distinguishes  it.  The  fold  or  furrow  on  the  posterior  part, 
passing  from  the  beak  to  the  posterior  basal  margin,  forms 
here  a  remarkable  emargination. 

L.  impressa.     Plate  1.     Fig.  30. 

Description.  Shell  lenticular,  somewhat  inflated,  nearly 
equilateral,  concentrically  striated,  folded  and  emarginate 
behind ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thin ;  lunule  very 
small  and  deeply  impressed  ;  beaks  recurved ;  the  two 
great  cicatrices  impressed ;  lines  of  growth  numerous ; 
cavity  of  the  shell  rather  deep  and  rounded,  having  no  visi- 
ble furrow ;  margin  crenulate. 

Diam.  .2,  Length  .3,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  has  some  resemblance  to 
the  cornuta,  but  cannot  be  easily  confounded  with  it.  The 
horn  of  the  one  and  the  deeply  impressed  lunule  of  the 
other  eminently  distinguish  them.  This  little  lunule  is 


58  CONTRIBUTIONS 

so  deeply  impressed  immediately  before  the  beak,  as  to 
give  a  curve  to  the  margin  resembling  a  fracture.  The 
impressa  resembles  very  closely  the  figure  of  L.  mitis 
(Sowerby) .  He  says  in  his  description,  "  no  lateral  teeth." 
This  species  has  them  most  distinctly  marked.  He  de- 
scribes the  margin  as  crenulate — ours  is  beautifully  so. 

L.papyracea.     Plate  1.     Fig.  31. 

Description.  Shell  orbicular,  lenticular,  somewhat  in- 
flated, concentrically  and  finely  striated,  slightly  folded 
behind  and  subemarginate  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin  ; 
lunule  cordate  ;  beaks  rather  pointed  ;  lateral  teeth  scarce- 
ly perceptible  ;  anterior  cicatrix  short ;  lines  of  growth 
indistinctly  marked  ;  cavity  of  the  shell  rather  shallow  ; 
margin  crenulate. 

Diam.  3-20ths,        Length  7-20ths,        Breadth  7-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  has  a  general  resemblance 
to  the  impressa,  but  differs  in  being  rather  less  inflated  and 
in  being  without  the  deep  impression  before  the  beaks. 
The  posterior  fold  of  the  impressa  is  greater,  and  the  lateral 
teeth  are  much  larger.  In  the  present  species  the  striae  de- 
crease in  number  on  the  posterior  part  and  there  become 
squamose. 

L.  lunata.     Plate  1.     Fig.  32. 

Description.  Shell  anteriorly  oblique,  inequilateral,  in- 
flated, concentrically  striated  and  furrowed  ;  substance  of 
the  shell  thick ;  lunule  broadly  cordate  ;  beaks  elevated, 


TO  GEOLOGY.  59 

recurved  ;  cardinal  and  lateral  teeth  rounded ;  cicatrices 
not  deeply  impressed;  the  lines  of  growth  numerous  and 
deeply  furrowed,  causing  a  crescent  like  appearance ;  cavity 
of  the  shell  deep — of  the  beaks  deep  and  rounded,  having 
no  visible  furrow  ;  margin  crenulate. 

Diam.  .2,  Length  .3,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.     Differs  from  impressa  in  size,  obliquity, 
striee,  and  the  deeply  seated  lunule. 


Seven  species  have  been  noticed  in  the  strata  of  Great 
Britain,  from  the  Great  Oolite  to  the  Crag — one  only  in 
the  London  Clay.  In  M.  Deshayes's  valuable  Tertiary 
Tables  we  find  fifty-nine,  of  which  thirty-one  are  from  the 
Paris  basin  (Eocene).  Twelve  are  from  Bourdeaux  (Mi- 
ocene). Mr  Say  has  observed  five  in  the  Tertiary  of 
Maryland,  and  Mr  Conrad  two  from  the  Tertiary  of  Clai- 
borne. 


GENUS  GRATELUPIA.     Des  Moulins. 

G.  Moulinsii.     Plate  2.     Fig.  33. 

Description.  Shell  subtriangular,  inflated,  gibbous  over 
the  umbo,  very  finely  and  transversely  striate,  nearly  equi- 
lateral ;  obtusely  angular  behind,  subemarginate  on  pos- 
terior basal  margin  ;  lunule  large  and  lanceolate  ;  margin 
entire. 

Diam.  1,  Length  1.4,  Breadth  1.9,  of  an  inch. 


60  CONTRIBUTIONS 

Observations.  The  genus  Gratelupia  was  established  in 
1 827,  by  M.  Charles  des  Moulins,  president  of  the  Linneean 
Society  of  Bourdeaux,  and  published  in  the  second  volume 
of  the  Transactions  of  the  Society.  The  name  of  his  dis- 
tinguished friend,  Dr  Grateloup,  was  given  to  the  genus, 
a  single  species  of  which  only  has  heretofore  been  made 
known,  the  G.  donaciformis.  I  have  great  pleasure  in  now 
having  it  in  my  power  to  dedicate  a  new  species  to  the 
founder  of  the  genus,  who  has  cultivated,  with  such  emi- 
nent success,  the  rich  formations  of  the  south  of  France, 
and  added  so  much  to  the  labours  of  Basterot. 

It  is  not  quite  so  transverse  as  the  donaciformis,  nor  is 
the  basal  margin  quite  so  straight — it  differs  also  in  being 
gibbous  over  the  umbones  and  in  having  comparatively  a 
small  excavation  of  the  palleal  impression,  which,  in  the 
other  species,  is  large,  extending  two-thirds  of  the  distance 
between  the  two  great  muscular  impressions.  The  small 
additional  teeth  which  distinguish  this  genus  from  the 
Cytherea,  are  not  in  this  species  so  perfectly  defined  as  in 
the  donaciformis.  They  are  more  irregularly  cut  up  into 
crenulations.  M.  des  Moulins  places  his  genus  between 
the  genera  Lucina  and  Donax.  The  structure  of  its  teeth 
would  induce  me  to  think  it  ought  to  be  placed  before  the 
genus  Cytherea.  The  lateral  tooth  is  like  that  of  the  Cy- 
therea,  but  more  removed. 


The  genus  Gratelupia  has  been  observed,  heretofore,  only 
at  Bourdeaux,  where  a  single  species  has  been  observed  by 
the  founder  of  the  genus  in  the  Miocene. 


,W    GRATELUPIA  Mniltowu. 

;•>  I  ASTAK.TE    .  rtcurva 

;V<  yiektoui 

36  siikato. 

37 .  parva 

51!  minor 


Xydu 


4« 

'13 

II triffoniata. 

4i  minima. 


48 


50  liri'J>ACU9 

51  .  MttWARO 

52.AKCA  ........  rhambMdeUa. 


4  tliiywtd 


TO  GEOLOGY.  61 

GENUS  ASTARTE.    Sowerby.    (Crassina  of  Lamarck.) 

A.  recurva.     Plate  2.     Fig.  34. 

Description.  Shell  subrotund,  angular  before,  emargin- 
ate  behind,  deeply  emarginate  before  the  beaks,  rather 
compressed,  concentrically  and  largely  striate,  deeply  fold- 
ed behind ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thick ;  beaks 
very  much  elevated  and  recurved ;  lunule  large,  deeply 
impressed,  cordate  ;  escutcheon  long — lanceolate  ;  pos- 
terior slope  bicarinate ;  teeth  obliquely  curved  ;  cicatrices 
impressed  ;  margin  finely  crenulate. 

Diam.  .2,  Length  .4,  Breadth  .4,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  I  have  seen  no  species  of  this  genus  with 
so  elevated  and  recurved  a  beak  as  this.  It  is  remarkable 
for  its  curved  teeth,  the  very  deep  impression  of  the  lunule, 
which,  together  with  the  recurviture  of  the  beak,  causes 
the  point  of  the  latter  to  be  quite  hooked.  The  deep  fold 
or  furrow,  behind,  forms  on  its  edges  sharp  ridges,  which 
are  imbricate.  In  one  specimen,  I  observed  longitudinal 
striae  diverging  from  the  beaks  and  nearly  reaching  the 
margin. 

A.  Nicklinii.     Plate  2.     Fig.  35. 

Description.  Shell  transversely  elliptical,  subangular  be- 
hind, emarginate  at  posterior  basal  margin,  concentrically 
and  largely  ribbed;  beaks  compressed,  pointed;  lunule 


62  CONTRIBUTIONS 

lanceolate,  excavated,  escutcheon  long  and  excavated  ; 
nymph  small  and  deeply  seated ;  teeth  small ;  anterior 
and  posterior  cicatrices  placed  on  a  raised  seat ;  palleal 
cicatrix  passing  between  the  two  great  cicatrices  in  a  gen- 
tle curve ;  margin  crenulate. 
Diam.  .4,  Length  .7,  Breadth  .9,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  interesting  and  remarkable  species 
cannot  easily  be  confounded  with  any  other  with  which  I 
am  acquainted,  except  that  which  follows.  Its  oval  form, 
flat  beaks  and  large  transverse  folds  or  ribs,  are  remark- 
able. 

In  dedicating  it  to  my  friend,  P.  H.  Nicklin,  I  have 
great  pleasure  in  acknowledging  my  obligations  to  him, 
for  his  kind  assistance  in  occasional  difficult  points. 

A.  sulcata.     Plate  2.     Fig.  36. 

Description.  This  species  is  so  precisely  similar  to  the 
last,  with  the  exception  of  a  marginal  furrow,  that  I 
have  thought  it  unnecessary  to  recapitulate  the  descrip- 
tion. The  Nicklinii  is  beautifully  crenulate  on  the  margin, 
while  the  sulcata  is  furnished  with  a  margin,  along  whose 
inner  edge  a  perfect  furrow  passes  from  the  anterior  to  the 
posterior  part  of  the  hinge.  When  very  young  the  speci- 
mens are  almost  perfectly  flat,  and  might,  for  this  reason, 
easily  be  taken  for  a  different  species. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  63 


A.  parva.     Plate  2.     Fig.  37. 

Description.  Shell  triangular,  rounded  below,  acutely 
angular  above,  compressed,  equilateral,  concentrically  and 
closely  striate ;  beaks  elevated,  pointed ;  lunule  large, 
lanceolate  ;  cardinal  teeth  small,  the  posterior  margin  fur- 
nished with  a  long  straight  lateral. one  ;  cicatrices  scarcely 
visible ;  margin  crenulate. 

Diam Length  .1,  Breadth  .1,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  Although  this  and  the  two  following  spe- 
cies do  not  accord  entirely  with  Sowerby's  generic  descrip- 
tion of  Jlstarte,  nor  that  of  Lamarck  under  the  name  of 
Crassina,  inasmuch  as  these  have  a  long,  straight,  lateral 
tooth  ;  I  have  preferred  placing  them  there,  as  they  agree 
in  all  the  other  generic  characters,  thinking  it  unnecessary 
to  make  a  new  genus  for  them. 

The  species  above  described  is  more  elevated  and  more 
acutely  angular  at  the  beaks  than  the  others.  Its  striae 
are  much  finer,  and  it  is  supposed  to  be  emarginate  imme- 
diately under  the  point  of  the  beaks. 

w3.  minor.     Plate  2.     Fig.  38. 

Description.  Shell  triangular,  rounded  below,  angular 
above,  compressed,  equilateral,  concentrically  and"  widely 
striate  ;  beaks  elevated,  pointed  ;  lunule  large,  lanceolate  ; 
cardinal  teeth  small,  the  posterior  margin  furnished  with 


64  CONTRIBUTIONS 

a  long  straight  lateral  tooth  ;  cicatrices  scarcely  visible  ; 
margin  entire  ] 
Diam.  l-20th,       Length  nearly  .1,       Breadth  nearly  .1,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  This  species  at  first  sight  might  easily 
be  mistaken  for  the  parva.  The  microscope  will,  however, 
show  very  characteristic  differences.  It  is  less  angular 
above ;  the  transverse  striae  are  much  further  removed ; 
it  might  be  said  to  be  sulcate.  All  the  specimens  I  have 
(five)  are  without  a  crenulated  margin.  More  perfect 
specimens  may,  nevertheless,  exhibit  this  character. 

A.  minutissima.     Plate  2.     Fig.  39. 

Description.  Shell  scaleniform,  acutely  angular  above, 
rather  compressed,  oblique,  ribbed  longitudinally;  beaks 
elevated,  pointed ;  lunule  very  large,  cordate ;  cardinal 
teeth  small,  the  posterior  margin  furnished  with  a  long 
straight  lateral  one ;  cicatrices  scarcely  visible ;  margin 
largely  crenulate. 

Diam Length  l-20th,  Breadth  l-20th,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  Differs  from  the  two  preceding  in  size, 
and  may  at  once  be  distinguished  by  its  longitudinal  ribs, 
the  others  being  transversely  striate. 


One  species  only  seems  to  have  been  found  in  the  beds 
of  the  London  Clay  in  England,  the  rugatus  of  Sowerby. 
From  the  Lias  to  the  Crag  twenty-eight  species  in  all  have 


TO  GEOLOGY.  65 

been  observed,  eight  being  from  the  Crag.  Lamarck  does 
not  mention  any  fossil  species.  M.  Deshayes  gives  nineteen 
species  in  his  Tertiary  Tables.  Mr  Say  has  noticed  two 
species  in  the  Tertiary  of  Maryland  ;  Mr  Conrad  two  in 
that  of  Claiborne. 


FAMILY  CONCEDE. 

GENUS  CYTHEREA.     Lamarck. 

C.  globosa.     Plate  2.     Fig.  40. 

Description.  Shell  very  much  inflated,  subrotund,  very 
finely  and  transversely  striate ;  swollen  over  the  umbones ; 
lunule  widely  and  beautifully  cordate ;  beaks  very  large, 
recurved ;  teeth  elevated  and  disposed  to  be  conical ;  exca- 
vation of  the  palleal  impression  conical ;  cavity  of  the  shell 
very  deep  and  rounded;  margin  entire. 

Diam.  1.1,  Length  1.3,  Breadth  1.6,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  is  perhaps  the  most  globose  of  all 
the  species  yet  known.  It  is  remarkable  for  its  capacity 
and  its  high  recurved  beaks,  in  which  it  has  some  resem- 
blance to  the  genus  Isocardia.  It  is  this  which  gives  the 
impression  of  the  ligament  a  curve  of  small  radius.  The 
excavation  of  the  palleal  impression  is  more  angular  than 
in  any  species  I  have  noticed.  The  two  central  teeth  in 
the  right  valve  are  erect  and  close,  with  a  deep  cleft  be- 
tween them.  On  the  edge  of  the  right  valve  there  is  a 


66  CONTRIBUTIONS 

groove  passing  from  the  termination  of  the  ligament  to  the 
posterior  margin. 

C.  comis.     Plate  2.     Fig.  41. 

Description.  Shell  inflated,  elliptical,  smooth ;  beaks 
large  ;  lunule  broad  and  cordate  ;  teeth  elevated  and  dis- 
posed to  be  conical ;  excavation  of  the  palleal  impression 
rather  deep  and  sub-biangular  ;  cavity  of  the  shell  deep  ; 
margin  entire. 

Diara.  .9,  Length  1.1,  Breadth  1.5,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Differs  from  the  C.  globosa  in  being  more 
transverse,  less  capacious,  in  having  smaller  beaks  and 
smooth  exterior.  About  the  umbones  it  is  somewhat 
gibbous. 

C.  Hydti.     Plate  2.     Fig.  42. 

Description.  Shell  somewhat  inflated,  subovate,  trans- 
versely and  thickly  folded ;  beaks  rather  elevated  and  mi- 
nutely folded  ;  lunule  cordate  ;  teeth  rather  elevated  and 
compressed ;  excavation  of  the  palleal  impression  sub- 
biangular  ;  cavity  of  the  shell  rather  deep ;  margin  entire. 

Diara.  .7,  Length  1.2,  Breadth  1.4,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  is  less  inflated  than  the 
comis,  and  differs  from  it  in  having  beautiful  folds  over  the 
beaks  and  the  whole  disk. 

I  have  great  gratification  in  placing  the  name  of  one  of 
our  most  distinguished  conchologists  to  this  shell.  Among 


TO  GEOLOGY.  67 

the  first  to  collect  and  arrange  systematically  the  shells  of 
our  country,  he  has  formed  one  of  the  finest  cabinets  in  it. 

C.  subcrassa.     Plate  2.     Fig.  43. 

Description.  Shell  somewhat  inflated,  subtriangular, 
concentrically  striate,  thick  about  the  region  of  the  hinge  ; 
substance  of  the  shell  thick  ;  beaks  thick  and  elevated ; 
lunule  cordate,  indistinct ;  teeth  rather  elevated  and  com- 
pressed ;  excavation  of  the  palleal  impression  rather  small 
and  roundish ;  cavity  of  the  shell  deep  and  rounded  ;  mar- 
gin crenulate. 

Diam.  .  ,  .  .  Length  1.1,  Breadth  1.2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  shell  most  resembles  the  trigoniata 
herein  described.  It  is  like  that  shell  in  outline,  but  is 
thicker,  and  differs  also  in  having  a  crenulated  margin. 

C.  trigoniata.     Plate  2.     Fig.  44. 

Description.  Shell  somewhat  inflated,  triangular,  con- 
centrically and  minutely  striate  ;  substance  of  the  shell 
rather  thick ;  beaks  moderately  elevated  and  recurved  ; 
lunule  long,  elliptical ;  teeth  moderately  large  ;  excavation 
of  the  palleal  impression  deep  and  rounded ;  cavity  of  the 
shell  deep,  subangular ;  margin  entire. 

Diam.  .6,  Length  .9,  Breadth  1.1,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  In  outline  the  trigoniata  resembles  closely 
the  subcrassa.  It  is,  however,  less  thick  in  the  substance 
of  the  shell,  has  much  finer  striae,  and  is  entirely  without 
crenulations  on  the  margin. 


68  CONTRIBUTIONS 


C.  minima.     Plate  2.     Fig.  45. 

Description.  Shell  subrotund,  angular  above,  subequi- 
lateral,  concentrically  and  very  minutely  striate  ;  lunule 
large,  elliptical ;  beaks  somewhat  elevated,  pointed,  com- 
pressed ;  cavity  of  the  shell  deep  and  rounded,  margin 
entire. 

Diam.  ....  Length  .1,  Breadth  .1,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  single  valve  only  of  this  little  Cytherea 
has  been  observed  by  me.  It  may  possibly  be  the  young 
of  the  trigoniata.  This  specimen  is,  however,  more  equila- 
teral and  the  striae  are  more  minute. 


Of  this  genus  three  species  have  been  observed  in  Great 
Britain,  one  of  which  is  from  the  London  Clay.  In  M. 
Deshayes's  Tertiary  Tables  we  find  fifty-nine  species. 
Twenty-two  of  these  are  from  the  Paris  basin,  and  eigh- 
teen from  Dax  (Miscene  period).  Mr  Say  has  described 
two  species  from  the  Tertiary  of  Maryland,  and  Mr  Conrad 
one  from  the  same  state. 


GENUS  VENERICARDIA.     Lamarck. 

V.  transversa.     Plate  2.     Fig.  46. 

Description.     Shell  very  transverse,  elliptical,  inflated, 
very   inequilateral ;   obliquely   ribbed ;   substance   of  the 


TO  GEOLOGY.  69 

shell  thick  ;  lunule  very  small,  deeply  impressed,  cordate  ; 
beaks  rather  elevated,  recurved  ;  ribs  about  twenty-seven, 
on  the  anterior  part  furnished  with  somewhat  distant  tu- 
bercles ;  teeth  transverse  ;  cicatrices  impressed  ;  cavity  of 
the  shell  deep,  oblique  ;  margin  very  largely  crenulate. 
Diam.  1.3,  Length  1.4,  Breadth  1.9,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  is  perhaps  most  remarkable 
for  its  transverseness  and  its  large  knotted  ribs.  Those  of 
the  posterior  part  are  rounded.  It  most  resembles  the  Sil- 
limani,  but  is  more  transverse. 


F.  Sillimani.     Plate  2.     Fig.  47. 

Description.  Shell  rather  transverse,  inflated,  inequila- 
teral, covered  with  longitudinal,  elevated  ribs ;  substance 
of  the  shell  thick ;  lunule  very  small,  very  transverse,  and 
very  deeply  impressed  ;  beaks  rather  elevated,  recurved  ; 
ribs,  about  twenty-seven,  sharp  and  imbricate  behind — 
obtuse  and  tuberculate  before  ;  teeth  nearly  transverse  ; 
cicatrices  slightly  impressed ;  cavity  of  the  shell  deep ; 
margin  largely  crenulate. 

Diam.  1,  Length  1.1,  Breadth  1.4,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  In  many  of  its  characters  this  species 
closely  resembles  the  transversa.  But  being  less  trans- 
verse, having  the  posterior  ribs  more  elevated  and  some- 
what imbricate,  I  am  induced  to  separate  it.  In  dedicating 
it  to  my  friend  Professor  Silliman,  I  do  myself  a  peculiar 
pleasure.  His  great  acquirements  and  successful  investi- 


70  CONTRIBUTIONS 

gallons  in  the  sciences,  have,  at  home  and  abroad,  won 
for  him  a  deserved  reputation  such  as  few  acquire. 

V.  rotunda.     Plate  1.     Fig.  48. 

Description.  Shell  rotund,  inequilateral,  slightly  in- 
flated, longitudinally  and  closely  ribbed  ;  substance  of  the 
shell  rather  thick  ;  lunule  small,  ovately  cordate  ;  beaks 
slightly  elevated,  recurved  ;  ribs  about  twenty-six,  and 
furnished  with  closely  set  arched  scales ;  teeth  rather 
oblique ;  cicatrices  rather  impressed ;  cavity  of  the  shell 
somewhat  deep  and  rounded  ;  margin  rather  largely  cre- 
nulate. 
Diam.  .6,  Length  1,  Breadth  1,  inch. 

Observations.  This  fine  species  is  remarkable  for  its 
beautifully  furnished  ribs,  which  are  so  thickly  set  with 
arched  scales,  as  almost  to  cause  them  to  lie  over  each 
other.  It  differs  from  the  Sillimani  in  its  form,  size  and 
ribs. 

V.  parva.     Plate  2.     Fig.  49. 

Description.  Shell  subtriangular,  rounded  below,  angu- 
lar above,  inflated,  equilateral,  longitudinally  and  closely 
ribbed  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick  ;  lunule  large,  cordate, 
slightly  impressed;  beaks  elevated,  large ;  ribs  about  twenty, 
transversely  and  thickly  crenulate  ;  teeth  oblique ;  cica- 
trices slightly  impressed  ;  cavity  of  the  shell  rather  deep  ; 
margin  largely  crenulate. 

Diam.  .2,  Length  .3,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  71 

The  figure  is  slightly  enlarged. 

Observations.  A  beautiful  little  species,  and  likely  to  be 
taken  for  the  young  of  the  rotundata.  It  has,  however,  a 
less  number  of  ribs,  is  more  longitudinal,  has  a  thicker  shell, 
and  has  more  elevated  beaks — the  hinge  is  remarkably 
thick. 


The  genus  Venericardia  does  not  seem  to  exist  in  the 
older  formations.  Mr  Mantell  mentions  one  in  the  Chalk 
of  Sussex,  but  has  not  determined  the  species.  The  F. 
Brogniarti  is  stated  to  be  from  the  Sandstone.*  Six  are 
mentioned  by  Mr  Sowerby  as  existing  in  the  London  Clay, 
and  four  are  by  him  ascribed  to  the  Crag.  The  well 
known  V.  planicosta  exists  in  the  London  and  Paris  basins. 
M.  Deshayes,  uniting  the  Venericardia  and  Cardita,  gives 
fifty  for  the  Tertiary  of  Europe.  Mr  Conrad  gives  for 
American  localities  of  this  species,  Maryland  and  Ala- 
bama.f 

In  this  country  three  species  only  have,  heretofore,  I  be- 
lieve, been  observed,  the  granulata  of  Say,  from  the  Tertiary 
of  Maryland — the  planicosta  of  Lamarck,  and  the  Blandingi9 
found  by  Dr  Blanding  in  the  Tertiary  of  Camden,  S.  C. 

*  Geo.  Trans,  vol.  3,  second  series. 

t  See  my  observations  on  this  species  in  the  Introduction. 


72  CONTRIBUTIONS 


FAMILY  CARDIACEA. 

GENUS  HIPPAGUS.*     (nobis.) 

Description.  Shell  cordate,  inflated,  without  teeth ; 
beaks  large,  recurved ;  margin  slightly  overwrapping 
beneath  the  beak ;  anterior  cicatrix  long ;  posterior  cicatrix 
round. 

Observations.  I  have  in  vain  endeavoured  to  place  this 
shell  in  one  of  the  established  genera.  In  its  general 
characters  it  approaches  most  closely  to  the  Isocardia  cor, 
but  cannot  be  placed  in  that  genus,  being  destitute  of  teeth. 
It  bears  some  resemblance  to  the  genus  Inoceramus  of 
Sowerby,  but  the  hinge  in  that  genus  "  closes  by  a  series 
of  oblong  fossets,"  and  besides  it  is  very  inequivalve.  In 
its  natural  order,  it  seems  to  follow  the  genus  Isocardia, 
and  I  propose  there  to  place  it. 

H.  isocardioides.     Plate  2.     Fig.  50. 

Description.  Shell  cordate,  much  inflated,  longitudinal, 
minutely  and  longitudinally  ribbed,  flattened  before  and 
behind,  ridged  along  the  umbonial  slope  ;  substance  of  the 
shell  rather  thick ;  beaks  large,  recurved ;  cicatrices  im- 

*  A  Horse  Boat. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  73 

pressed ;  cavity  of  the  shell  very  deep ;  margin  minutely 
crenulate  ;  nacre  somewhat  pearly. 
Diam.  3-20ths,         Length  5-20ths,         Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Three  views  are  given,  the  smallest  being  of  the  size 
of  nature. 

Observations.  Three  or  four  valves  only  of  this  curious 
little  shell  were  received  by  me.  The  posterior  part  is 
exceedingly  flat,  resembling  in  this  respect  some  of  the 
Cardia.  The  depression  of  the  anterior  part  is  between 
the  anterior  margin  and  the  beaks ;  hence  the  posterior 
margin  differs  from  it,  the  one  being  subangular,  the  other 
curved. 


GENUS  MYOPARO.*     (nobis.) 

Description.  Shell  cordate,  equivalve  ;  beaks  recurved  ; 
a  series  of  small  teeth,  transverse  to  the  margin,  on  each 
side  of  the  beaks,  and  placed  on  the  margin ;  two  large 
cicatrices. 

Observations.  In  its  general  appearance,  this  resembles 
the  genus  just  described,  and  were  it  not  for  the  teeth  on 
either  side  of  the  beak,  it  would  naturally  take  its  place 
there.  In  the  outline,  and  possession  of  an  anterior  series 
of  teeth,  it  approaches  the  Catillus  ( C.  Lamarckii)  of  Blain- 
ville,t  which,  however,  has  teeth  on  one  side  only.  The 

*  A  piratical  oar-galley. 

t  Manuel  de  Malacologie,  &c,  p.  529. 


74  CONTRIBUTIONS 

genus  Pulvinites  of  Defrance,  is  still  further  removed,  the 
series  of  teeth  being  directly  at  the  apex  of  the  margin, 
which  is  there  thickened. 


P.  costatus.     Plate  2.     Fig.  51. 

Description.  Shell  cordate,  somewhat  inflated,  longitu- 
dinal, minutely  and  longitudinally  ribbed  ;  substance  of 
the  shell  thin  ;  beaks  elevated,  recurved ;  cicatrices  large ; 
the  anterior  series  of  the  teeth  short,  the  posterior  one 
long,  anterior  one  longer  and  narrower ;  cavity  of  the 
shell  rather  deep ;  margin  very  minutely  crenulate  ;  nacre 
pearly  under  the  epidermis. 

Diam.  .1,  Length  .2,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  interesting  little  species  requires  a 
microscope  to  observe  some  of  its  characters.  The  speci- 
mens in  the  best  state  of  preservation  are  greenish.  The 
ribs,  in  some  instances,  diverge,  and  are  cut  by  the  lines  of 
growth. 


FAMILY  ARCACEA. 


GENUS  ARCA.     Linnaus. 

Jl.  rhomboidella.     Plate  2.     Fig.  52. 

Description.     Shell  rhomboidal,  very  inequilateral,  com- 
pressed at  base,  longitudinally  and  closely  ribbed ;  sub- 


TO  GEOLOGY.  75 

stance  of  the  shell  thin  ;  beaks  small,  pointed  ;  ribs  about 
thirty-three,  obsoletely  tuberculated  on  the  anterior  por- 
tion ;  teeth  lamellar,  oblique  ;  cicatrices  scarcely  percepti- 
ble ;  cavity  of  the  shell  rather  shallow ;  margin  crenulate. 
Diam Length  .2,  Breadth  7-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  pretty  little  species  forms,  by  its 
parallel  sides,  nearly  a  perfect  rhomboid.  It  has  some  re- 
semblance to  the  centenaria  of  Say,  which  is  described  by 
him,  as  well  as  Mr  Conrad,  as  being  "  subrhomboidal." 
The  figures,  however,  are  both  trapezoidal,  and,  therefore, 
differ  in  outline  from  the  description.  It  may  also  be  dis- 
tinguished by  the  ribs,  the  centenaria  being  striate.  The 
figure  of  Mr  Sowerby's  duplicata  has  a  close  similarity  to 
our  shell,  but  differs  in  having  the  "  ribs  sulcated  along 
the  middle." 


The  genus  Area,  has  been  observed  in  England,  as  low 
down  as  the  Carboniferous  Limestone.  In  Sweden  and 
Germany,  several  species  have  been  observed  as  low  as 
the  Cretaceous  and  Oolitic  Groups.  M.  Al.  Brogniart 
describes  a  species  (Pandoris),  from  the  Calcareo-trap- 
pean  formation  of  Vicentin*.  M.  Deshayes  gives  us  fifty- 
four  species — twenty-three  of  these  are  from  the  Paris 
basin.  From  our  formations,  Mr  Say  has  described  three 
species,  all  from  the  Tertiary  of  Maryland.  Mr  Conrad 
has  also  described  three,  and  observed  two  others  common 

*  Memoire  du  Vicentin,  &c.  page  76, 


76  CONTRIBUTIONS 

to  our  coast,  the  transversa  and  ponderosa  of  Say.  These 
are  from  the  Tertiary  of  North  Carolina,  Virginia  and 
Maryland. 


GENUS  PECTUNCULUS.     Lamarck. 

P.  Broderipii.     Plate  3.     Fig.  53. 

Description.  Shell  rather  oblique,  inflated,  inequilateral, 
nearly  straight  at  dorsal  margin,  with  delicate  longitudinal 
linear  ribs,  cut  by  very  minute  transverse  striae ;  beaks 
rather  elevated ;  hinge  teeth  arched  and  very  diminutive 
in  the  centre  ;  cicatrices  slightly  raised  ;  ^cavity  of  the 
shell  deep;  marginal  teeth  pointed,  small  and  well  defined. 

Diam.  .9,  Length  1.3,  Breadth  1 .4,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  is,  perhaps,  most  remarka- 
able  for  its  small  and  beautifully  pointed  marginal  teeth, 
and  the  straight  line  of  the  dorsal  margin.  The  longitu- 
dinal linear  ribs,  which  diverge  from  the  point  of  the  beak 
and  extend  to  the  margin,  are  beautifully  cut  by  the  fine 
concentric  striae,  which  interrupt  them.  This  can  only 
be  perceived  in  specimens  which  are  in  the  best  state  of 
preservation.  In  young  specimens,  the  obliquity  does  not 
always  exist,  and  the  shell  is  then  equilateral.  In  perfect 
specimens,  with  the  assistance  of  the  microscope,  the  dorsal 
teeth  will  be  seen  to  be  transversely  striate. 

In  placing  the  name  of  so  distinguished  a  conchologist  as 
that  of  Mr.  Broderip  to  this  species,  I  have  great  pleasure. 


FIL.A.T1E  Ml 


Broderipii 

minor 

deltoidta. 


.  owla, 
p  ectuncnla 
Brogniurti 


6?.  NUCBLA.   . 

63 
64 

Pi'  .  AVTCULA 
66  .FBI-TEN 

67 

68  .  PMCATUL 
159.OSTIIEA 


Drshtwf 
LytMi 


74.  PISSURE1.1.A 

75.  HIPPON1X 

76   INPUNDJBUWJ1 


TO  GEOLOGY.  77 

His  valuable  contributions  to  science  are  too  well  known 
to  need  my  observing  upon  them. 

P.  minor.     Plate  3.     Fig.  54. 

Description.  Shell  angular  above  and  round  below, 
nearly  equilateral,  with  minute  radiating  ribs  cut  by 
transverse  striae ;  beaks  rather  elevated  ;  hinge  teeth 
arched,  large,  diminishing  only  at  the  anterior  and  pos- 
terior parts  of  the  row ;  cicatrices  impressed ;  cavity  of 
the  shell  shallow  ;  marginal  teeth  small  and  square. 

Diam.,2,  Length  .4,  Breadth  9-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  diminutive  species  resembles  in 
some  of  its  characters,  the  Broderipii,  but  differs  from  it 
entirely  in  the  dorsal  line  and  the  marginal  teeth. 

P.  deltoideus.     Plate  3.     Fig.  55. 

Description.  Shell  subtriangular,  inequilateral,  more 
rounded  before,  acutely  angular  at  the  beak,  with  minute 
longitudinal  ribs  cut  by  transverse  striae ;  beaks  elevated, 
pointed ;  hinge  teeth  smaller  in  the  centre  ;  cicatrices 
impressed ;  cavity  of  the  shell  shallow ;  marginal  teeth 
rather  large  and  square. 

Diam,  5-20ths,  Length  .4,  Breadth  .4,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Closely  allied  to  the  P.  minor,  this  species 
resembles  it  in  nearly  all  its  characters.  It  differs  in  out- 
line, and  more  particularly  in  the  angle  of  the  dorsal  mar- 


78  CONTRIBUTIONS 

gin.     The  anterior  part  is  sometimes  entirely  straight  from 
the  beak  to  the  anterior  basal  margin. 

P.  ellipsis.     Plate  3.     Fig.  56. 

Description.  Shell  transversely  elliptical,  compressed, 
inequilateral,  concentrically  and  minutely  striate,  with 
small  longitudinal  rugose  ribs,  more  strongly  marked  on 
the  posterior  and  anterior  parts  ;  beaks  rather  elevated,  re- 
curved ;  hinge  teeth  very  small,  numerous  and  scarcely 
interrupted  in  the  middle  ;  cicatrices  impressed  ;  cavity  of 
the  shell  shallow  ;  margin  entire. 

Diam.  .2,  Length  7-20ths,  Breadth  9-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  In  some  of  its  characters  the  ellipsis  close- 
ly resembles  the  minor,  but  is  eminently  distinguished  by 
the  absence  of  marginal  crenulations.  It  is  more  transverse 
and  has  smaller  dorsal  teeth.  Immediately  under  the  beak 
is  a  fosset-like  impression,  which  may  have  been  the  seat 
of  the  ligament.  In  this  it  has  some  resemblance  to  the 
nucula;  but  is  placed  above  the  arched  row  of  teeth. 

P.  obliqua.     Plate  3.     Fig.  57. 

Description.  Shell  oblique,  somewhat  inflated,  very  in- 
equilateral, straight  at  dorsal  margin,  with  minute  longitu- 
dinal ribs,  concentrically  folded ;  folds  beautifully  sculp- 
tured ;  beaks  rather  elevated,  pointed  ;  hinge  teeth  few, 
small,  placed  on  nearly  a  straight  plate,  smaller  in  the 
middle  ;  cicatrices  slightly  impressed  ;  cavity  of  the  shell 


TO  GEOLOGY.  79 

rather  deep  ;  marginal  teeth  small  on  the  basal  margin — 
larger  anteriorly  and  posteriorly. 

Diam.  .2,  Length  7-20ths,  Breadth  7-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  very  curious  and  interesting  species 
is  remarkable  for  its  obliquity  and  the  sculptured  grooves  of 
its  folds.  At  first  sight  it  might  be  mistaken  for  the  genus 
Lima.  The  seat  of  the  ligament  is  impressed,  and  forms  a 
small  pit  immediately  below  the  point  of  the  beak. 


The  genus  Pectunculus  has  been  found  in  England  as  low 
in  the  series  as  the  Great  Oolite  and  as  high  as  the  Crag. 
Mr  Sowerby  describes  five  in  the  London  Clay.  In  the 
Tertiary  Tables  of  M.  Deshayes,  we  find  twenty-seven 
species  almost  equally  distributed  over  the  three  periods — 
there  being  thirteen  species  in  the  Pliocene,  eighteen  in 
the  Miocene,  and  nineteen  in  the  Eocene.  In  the  Green 
Sand  of  New  Jersey,  Dr  Morton  has  obtained  casts  of 
this  genus.  In  the  Tertiary  of  Maryland  Mr  Say  has 
observed  one  species.  Mr  Conrad  has  described  three  spe- 
cies from  the  Tertiary  of  Claiborne  and  observed  one  other, 
the  pulvinatus  of  Lamarck,  near  York  Town,  Virginia. 


GENUS  NUCULA.     Lamarck. 

JV.  Sedgewickii.     Plate  3.     Fig.  58. 

Description.     Shell  ovately  elliptical,  oblique,  subangular 
behind,  inflated,  very  inequilateral,  smooth  ;  swollen  over 


80  CONTRIBUTIONS 

the  umbones  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick  ;  lunule  none  ; 
beaks  elevated,  recurved;  anterior  series  of  teeth  short — 
posterior  series  long  ;  fosset  small  and  oblique  ;  cavity  of 
the  shell  rather  deep  ;  margin  very  minutely  crenulate  ; 
nacre  very  pearly. 
Diam.  .4,  Length  .6,  Breadth  .8,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Resembles  Gobboldice  and  Icevigata  (Sow- 
erby) .  It  differs  from  the  first  in  being  smooth — from  the  last 
in  not  being  truncate,  and  from  both  in  having  a  crenulated 
margin.  It  has  perhaps  a  stronger  resemblance  to  the  mar- 
garitacea  of  Lamarck,  a  recent  European  species,  and  the 
only  recent  one  known  to  be  crenulate.  That  distinguished 
naturalist  says  it  is  found  fossil  in  various  parts  of  France. 
It  appears  to  me  that  our  shell  differs  in  being  more 
robust,  more  transverse,  and  having  less  pointed  teeth. 

In  fine  specimens  of  the  Sedgewickii,  with  the  aid  of  the 
microscope,  minute  diverging  lines  may  be  observed. 

In  attaching  the  name  of  a  distinguished  geologist  to 
this  species,  I  must  make  my  acknowledgements  for  the 
instruction  and  pleasure  derived  from  his  eminently  useful 
labours. 

JV.  ovula.    Plate  3.     Fig.  59. 

Description.  Shell  ovate,  oblique,  inflated,  very  inequi- 
lateral, transversely  striate,  longitudinally  and  very  mi- 
nutely ribbed  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin  ;  lunule  large, 
not  deeply  impressed  ;  beaks  pointed,  recurved  ;  anterior 
series  of  teeth  short — posterior  series  long  ;  fosset  nearly 


TO  GEOLOGY.  81 

direct ;  cavity  of  the  shell  deep ;  margin  very  minutely 
crenulate ;  nacre  pearly. 

Diam.  .3,  Length  .4,  Breadth  .5,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  pretty  little  species  in  general  ap- 
pearance resembles  the  Sedgewickii,  but  differs  in  being 
more  ovate  and  in  having  a  lunule.  Of  the  species  de- 
scribed by  Mr  Sowerby,  it  approaches  most  closely  to  the 
variabilis,  but  differs  in  not  being  smooth  outside,  and  in 
having  a  crenulated  margin. 

JV.  pectuncularis.     Plate  3.     Fig.  60. 

Description.  Shell  trapezoidal,  compressed,  nearly  equi- 
lateral, angular  before,  rounded  behind,  flattened  on  the 
sides,  straight  at  basal  margin,  longitudinally  and  minute- 
ly ribbed  ;  anterior  slope  large,  carinate  ;  substance  of  the 
shell  thin ;  beaks  recurved,  pointed  ;  both  series  of  teeth 
small  and  nearly  equal,  the  posterior  one  rather  the  smaller ; 
fosset  on  the  plate  and  immediately  under  the  beak,  ob- 
lique ;  cavity  of  the  shell  shallow  ;  margin  entire  ;  nacre 
apparently  not  pearly. 

Diam Length  .1,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  single  valve  only  of  this  truly  inter- 
esting little  nucula  has  been  obtained  by  me.  It  differs 
in  outline  from  any  species  I  am  acquainted  with,  its 
trapezoidal  form  being  very  peculiar.  At  first  sight,  on 
examination  of  the  teeth,  I  took  it  to  be  a  Pectunculus, 
but  a  further  examination  with  the  microscope  showed  me 
the  fosset  for  the  ligament,  between  the  two  series  of 

L 


02  CONTRIBUTIONS 

teeth.  It  has  a  distinct  fosset,  but  unlike  the  genus 
generally  in  this,  it  is  placed  above  the  teeth,  and  directly 
at  the  point  of  the  beak.  We  may,  with  great  propriety, 
consider  this  to  be  the  connecting  link  with  the  Pectunculi, 
the  "nuance"  being  into  that  of  the  P.  ellipsis  (nobis). 
A  more  complete  junction  could  scarcely  be  established. 


JV.  Brogniarti*     Plate  3.     Fig.  61. 

Description.  Shell  elliptically  transverse,  somewhat  in- 
flated, rounded  before,  produced  and  truncate  behind, 
nearly  equilateral,  furnished  with  sinuous  transverse  folds 
over  the  disk,  and  six  granose  ribs  behind,  which  passing 
from  the  beaks  to  the  posterior  margin  form  two  channels 
on  each  valve  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick  ;  lunule  lan- 
ceolate ;  escutcheon  inflected,  lanceolate  ;  beaks  small, 
pointed,  concentrically  folded ;  anterior  series  of  teeth 
arched — posterior  series  inflected  ;  teeth  pointed,  angular, 
diminishing  in  size  towards  the  beak  ;  fosset  deep,  trian- 
gular ;  cicatrices  impressed  ;  excavation  of  the  palleal 
impression  small  and  rounded  ;  cavity  of  the  shell  rather 
shallow,  furnished  posteriorly  with  two  channels  on  each 
valve ;  margin  very  minutely  crenulate  ;  nacre  not  pearly. 

Diam.  .3,  Length  .4,  Breadth  .8,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Among  all  the  nuculw  I  have  not  seen  so 
beautiful  a  species  as  this ;  its  fine  form  and  adorned  exte- 
rior are  very  remarkable.  The  folds  are  larger  before  the 

*  Named  after  the  distinguished  geologist  Al.  Brogniart. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  83 

umbonial  slope.  As  they  approach  the  anterior  margin 
they  become  obsolete,  but  again  increase,  and  are  deflected 
after  passing  an  oblique  impressed  line,  passing  from  the 
beaks  to  the  anterior  basal  margin.  Posterior  to  the  um- 
bonial slope  the  folds  are  also  there  deflected,  and  become 
smaller.  In  the  furrows  very  minute  transverse  striae  may 
be  observed.  The  lunule,  escutcheon  and  furrows  between 
the  ribs  are  slightly  striate.  The  crenulation  of  the  mar- 
gin is  very  minute,  and  can  only  be  observed  on  very  per- 
fect specimens. 

JV.  media.     Plate  3.     Fig.  62. 

Description.  Shell  elliptically  transverse,  somewhat  in- 
flated ;  rounded  before,  produced  and  truncate  behind,  equi- 
lateral, furnished  with  fine  concentrical  folds  in  the  middle, 
and  three  ribs  on  each  valve  behind  ;  anterior  part  smooth  ; 
substance  of  the  shell  thin ;  lunule  none ;  beaks  very  small, 
pointed ;  anterior  series  of  teeth  arched — posterior  series  in- 
flected ;  teeth  small,  pointed,  angular,  diminishing  in  size 
towards  the  beak ;  fosset  scarcely  perceptible  ;  cicatrices  ob- 
solete ;  cavity  of  the  shell  rather  shallow,  having  its  channel 
interrupted  by  a  callus ;  margin  entire  ;  nacre  not  pearly. 

Diam.  .1,  Length  3-20ths,  Breadth  7-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  beautiful  little  species  in  outline  is  like 
the  last  described,  but  differs  much  in  many  of  its  charac- 
ters. The  folds  are  minute  and  very  remarkably  regular. 
Becoming  obsolete  as  they  approach  the  anterior  margin, 
they  there  vanish  altogether  as  if  erased  by  attrition. 


84  CONTRIBUTIONS 

These  folds  terminate  posteriorly  very  abruptly  at  the  first 
rib,  of  which  there  are  three  on  each  valve,  passing  from 
the  beak  to  the  posterior  margin.  The  centre  rib  is  the 
largest,  and  disposed  to  be  imbricate.  A  remarkable  callus 
is  placed  directly  in  the  channel  of  the  posterior  part  of  the 
cavity  of  the  shell.  It  is  disposed  to  be  polished  inside  and 
out. 

JV.  pulcherrima.     Plate  3.     Fig.  63. 

Description.  Shell  an  obtuse  angled  triangle,  very  trans- 
verse, compressed,  nearly  equilateral,  concentrically  folded; 
folds  rather  sharp,  on  the  umbonial  slope  inflected  ;  sub- 
stance of  the  shell  thin ;  beaks  angular ;  lunule  lanceolate ; 
escutcheon  linear;  anterior  and  posterior  series  of  teeth 
both  incurved  ;  teeth  arched,  diminishing  in  size  towards 
the  beak ;  fosset  small,  subtriangular  ;  cicatrices  impercep- 
tible ;  cavity  of  the  shell  very  shallow,  showing  the  exte- 
rior folds  and  carina  of  the  unbonial  slope;  margin  entire  ; 
nacre  not  pearly. 

Diam Length  .1,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  single  valve  only,  the  right  one  of  this 
interesting  little  species,  has  come  into  my  possession.  The 
deep  folds  which  cover  the  whole  valve,  and  its  angular 
form  highly  distinguish  it  from  any  described  species  with 
which  I  am  acquainted. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  85 


JV.  plicata.     Plate  3.     Fig.  64. 

Description.  Shell  elliptically  transverse,  rather  com- 
pressed, inequilateral,  concentrically  and  minutely  folded, 
rounded  before,  produced  and  truncate  behind,  furnished  on 
the  posterior  slope  with  six  ribs — on  the  anterior  part  with 
two  curved  furrows ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin ;  lunule 
lanceolate  ;  escutcheon  long,  lanceolate ;  anterior  series  of 
teeth  arched,  posterior  series  incurved ;  teeth  angular,  di- 
minishing in  size  towards  the  beak;  fosset  small,  angular  ; 
cicatrices  imperceptible  ;  cavity  of  the  shell  very  shallow, 
having  its  channel  interrupted  by  a  callus ;  margin  entire ; 
nacre  not  pearly. 

Diam.  .1,  Length  .2,  Breadth  .5,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  resembles  in  outline  the 
Brogniarti  and  media.  It  differs  from  the  first  essentially  in 
the  closeness  and  regularity  of  the  folds,  and  from  the  last 
in  having  the  folds  to  continue  over  its  anterior  portion. 
It  differs  from  both  in  the  position  of  its  beaks,  which  are 
placed  so  much  towards  the  anterior  part  as  to  render  the 
shell  very  inequilateral.  The  ribs  too  are  more  sharp. 
The  furrow  on  the  anterior  part  of  the  valve  of  this  species 
is  not  found  in  either  of  the  above  described  species. 


This  fine  genus  seems  to  pervade  nearly  all  the  import- 
ant formations,  from  the  Carboniferous  Limestone  to  the 
newest  of  the  Supercretacious  Group.  The  JV.  Pa/wee* 

*  Sowerby's  Min,  Conch,  vol.  5. 


86  CONTRIBUTIONS 

exists  in  Derbyshire  in  the  first  mentioned  formation,  and 
twenty-seven  others  in  the  superior  beds  of  England.  Five 
of  these  are  from  the  London  Clay.  M.  Deshayes  gives 
us  twenty-three  from  the  Tertiary  of  Europe.  Six  of  these 
are  from  the  Paris  basin.  Mr  Say  describes  two  species, 
the  Icevis  and  concentrica  from  the  Tertiary  of  Maryland, 
and  Mr  Conrad  two  from  the  Tertiary  of  Claiborne. 


ORDER  CONCHIFERA  UNIMUSCU- 
LOSA. 


FAMILY  MALLACEA. 

GENUS  AVICULA.     Lamarck. 

Jl.  Claibornensis.     Plate  3.     Fig.  65. 

Description.  Shell  thin,  thickened  along  the  dorsal 
margin,  acutely  angular  before ;  beaks  small,  pointed ; 
teeth  small  and  placed  near  the  anterior  margin ;  wings 
very  oblique  ;  nacre  very  pearly. 

Diam Length  ....  Breadth  .  . . :k 

Observations.  Several  fragments  and  one  nearly  com- 
plete valve  only  were  received  by  me.  From  these,  I  am 
unable  to  identify  it  with  any  other  species.  It  differs 
from  the  A.  media  (Sowerby),  in  being  more  oblique  and 


TO  GEOLOGY.  87 

having  a  smaller  hinge.  One  of  tfie  fractured  pieces 
seems  to  have  a  wider  hinge,  and  may  prove  to  be  of  a 
different  species. 


About  seventeen  species  have  been  found  fossil  in 
Great  Britain.  The  lowest  stratum  being  that  of  the 
Magnesian  Limestone  (Zechstein) — the  highest  that  of 
the  London  Clay,  where  the  media  only  has  been  observ- 
ed. Mr  Mantell  mentions  a  species  (not  determined)  in 
the  Chalk  of  Sussex.  M.  Deshayes  gives  us  five  species 
only,  for  the  two  genera  Jlmcula  and  Meleagrina,  four  of 
which  he  cites  from  the  London  Clay.  Why  he  should 
not  notice  the  numerous  species  of  Sowerby  and  Phillips 
I  cannot  imagine.  I  am  not  aware  of  any  species  having 
been  heretofore  observed  in  our  formation.  Dr  Morton 
mentions  his  having  observed  casts  in  the  Green  Sand 
of  New  Jersey. 


FAMILY  PECTINIDA. 


GENUS  PECTEN.     Lamarck. 

P.  Deshaysii*     Plate  3,     Fig.  66. 

Description.     Shell  orbicular,  rather  compressed ;   ears 
nearly  equal ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thick  ;  ribs 

*  Named  after  the  distinguished  fossil  conchologist  M.  Deshayes. 


88  CONTRIBUTIONS 

about  twenty-one,  large,  alternating  with  as  many  small 
ones,  all  imbricate  ;  beaks  pointed. 

Diam Length  1.3,  Breadth  1.3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  I  know  no  species  which  this  resembles 
so  much  as  the  gracilis  (Sowerby),  from  the  Crag  at  Holy- 
wells.  It  differs  in  having  rather  large  ribs  instead  of 
"  many  small  longitudinal  ridges." 

P.  Lyelli*     Plate  3.     Fig.  67. 

Description.  Shell  longitudinal,  rounded  below,  angular 
above,  compressed  ;  ears  very  unequal,  having  a  channel 
on  the  larger  one  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin  ;  ribs  about 
twenty-two,  rounded,  slightly  imbricate ;  beaks  acutely 
angular. 

Diam Length  ,8,  Breadth  .7,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  differs  from  the  last  described 
in  being  more  elongated,  in  having  very  unequal  wings,  in 
having  a  channel  on  one  wing,  and  in  having  no  alter- 
nate ribs.  A  single  smaH  valve  accompanied  this  species, 
which  appears  to  be  different,  the  ears  being  not  quite  so 
unequal ;  further  specimens  may  prove  it  to  be  worthy  of 
a  specific  distinction.  If  so,  I  propose  the  name  of  mi- 
nutus. 

*  Named  after  the  eminently  distinguished  geologist  Charles  Lyell. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  89 

Forty-nine  species  of  this  genus  have  been  observed  in 
the  strata  of  Great  Britain,  from  the  Carboniferous  Lime- 
stone to  the  Crag — three  only  in  the  London  Clay.  Many 
are  described  from  the  Continent,  by  Nilsson,  Heeninghaus, 
&c.  as  existing  in  the  Cretaceous  Group.  M.M.  Brogniart 
and  Defrance  have  described  some  from  the  environs  of 
Paris,  where  they  have  been  found  in  the  Supercretaceous 
rocks.  M.  Deshayes  gives  us  sixty  for  the  Tertiary. 
Twenty-six  are  from  the  Pliocene  of  Sicily  and  the  Sub- 
appennines,  and  ten  from  the  Paris  basin.  In  the  Green 
Sand  of  New  Jersey  and  Delaware,  Dr  Morton  has  ob- 
served two  or  three  species.  Mr  Say,  from  the  Tertiary 
of  Maryland,  has  described  four. 


GENUS  PLICATULA.     Lamarck. 
P.  Mantilli.*     Plate  3.     Fig.  68. 

Description.  Shell  oblongo-trigonal,  irregular,  compress- 
ed, ribbed,  transversely  imbricate,  furnished  with  external 
and  internal  ribs,  the  latter  most  numerous  ;  substance  of 
the  shell  thick  ;  teeth  striate  ;  cicatrix  round. 

Diam.  .3,  Length  .7,  Breadth  .8,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species,  as  sometimes  among  the 
recent  ones,  is  so  irregular  in  outline  as  to  present  almost 
all  the  forms  between  the  circle  and  triangle.  It  is  dis- 
posed to  be  angular  above  and  round  below.  The  small 

*  Named  after  the  author  of  the  "  Geology  of  Sussex." 
M 


90  CONTRIBUTIONS 

internal  ribs  radiate  from  the  beak,  and  are  more  numer- 
ous, and  independent  of  the  external  ones,  which  vary  in 
number  from  six  to  twelve.  These  internal  ribs  are  dis- 
posed to  terminate,  in  the  left  valve  with  a  tubercle — in  the 
right  with  a  corresponding  depression.  In  young  indivi- 
duals the  valves  are  thin.  In  all  my  specimens,  the  cicatrix 
differs  in  colour  from  the  rest  of  the  disk,  being  whitish. 


Three  species  only  of  Plicatula  have  been  observed  in 
Great  Britain,  the  highest  of  these  in  the  Chalk  Marl 
(Crai  Tufau),  being  of  the  Cretaceous  Group.  Lamarck 
describes  six.  In  M.  Deshayes's  Tertiary  Tables  we  find 
seven,  three  being  from  the  Paris  basin.  Mr  Say  has  from 
the  Tertiary  of  Maryland  described  one  species,  marginata* 


FAMILY  OSTRACEA. 

GENUS  OSTREA.     Ltrmcetw. 
O.  semilunata.     Plate  3.     Fig.  69. 

Description.  Shell  semi-lunate,  anterior  margin  much 
incurved  ;  superior  valve  incurved — inferior  one  very  con- 
vex ;  beaks  produced,  rounded  and  flattened  ;  basal  mar- 
gin rounded. 

Diam.  .8,  Length  2.3,  Breadth  1.6,  of  an  inch. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  91 

Observations.  A  single  specimen  (both  valves)  only 
has  come  into  my  possession.  Being  somewhat  worn,  it 
is  difficult  to  say  if  the  species  be  squamose  or  smooth. 
The  superior  valve  seems  to  be  concentrically  striate.  On 
the  posterior  edge  of  the  upper  valve  there  are  a  few 
wrinkles. 

O.  divaricata.     Plate  3.     Fig.  70. 

Description.  Shell  semi-lunate,  somewhat  convex,  sub- 
angular  at  dorsal  margin  and  recurved,  rounded  at  basal 
margin,  furnished  with  divaricate  ribs  over  the  whole  sur- 
face ;  margin  crenulate,  raised  before  the  beak. 

Diam Length  1.5,  Breadth  .8,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Like  the  last,  it  is  difficult  to  make  out 
the  characters  from  a  single  specimen.  It  has  some  re- 
semblance to  the  O.  costata  (Sowerby),  but  is  a  larger  shell 
and  not  orbicular. 

O.  Jllabamiensis.     Plate  3.     Fig.  71. 
Two  Views. 

Description.  Shell  subelliptical,  curved  behind,  crenu- 
late on  both  sides  of  the  beak  ;  beaks  recurved,  pointed. 

Diam Length  2.1,  Breadth  1.5,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  single  valve  only  of  this  species  has 
been  received  by  me.  The  exterior  of  this  is  roughly 
squamose. 


92  CONTRIBUTIONS 

O.  lingua  canis.     Plate  3.     Fig.  72. 
Two  Views. 

Description.  Shell  elliptical,  elevated  and  somewhat 
truncate  at  the  dorsal  and  basal  margins,  convex,  crenu- 
late  on  both  sides  of  the  beaks ;  margin  raised  between 
the  beak  and  the  base. 

Diam.  .  .  . . /  Length  1.8,  Breadth  1.1,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  single  valve  only  of  this  curious  species 
has  come  into  my  possession,  and  it  is  difficult  to  make 
out  all  its  characters  with  certainty  from  it.  The  other 
valve  may  present  important  ones.  The  form  of  this 
valve,  owing  to  the  raised  margin,  resembles  a  dog's  tongue. 
On  the  exterior,  along  the  edge  of  this  elevated  part,  there 
is  a  slight  fold,  apparently  as  if  it  had  been  pushed  up  in 
a  soft  state.  Very  small  radiating  striae  may  be  perceived 
near  the  beaks,  and  the  whole  surface  is  irregularly  vari- 
cose. 

O.  pincerna.     Plate  3.     Fig.  73. 

Two  Views. 

Description.     Shell  orbicular,  convex,  flattened  at  the 
beaks,  irregularly  wrinkled  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin, 
diaphanous  ;  beaks  bent  downwards  ;  margin  sharp. 
Diam Length  .6,  Breadth  .6,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.     Although  I  have  two  valves  and  several 
pieces  of  this  curious  little  shell,  it  is  difficult  to  make  out 


TO  GEOLOGY.  93 

its  permanent  characters.  It  is  disposed  to  be  cup-like,  thin, 
diaphanous  and  wrinkled,  but  this  is  not  always  the  case. 
In  the  two  whole  valves  the  beaks  bend  down  immediately 
from  the  margin  and  make  no  channel. 


The  genus  Ostrea  is  widely  distributed  through  the  foss- 
iliferous  strata.  In  Great  Britain  thirty-six  species  have 
been  observed  from  the  Lias  to  the  Crag.  Lamarck  has 
described  thirty-eight  species  from  various  beds  and  locali- 
ties. Professor  Sedge  wick  mentions  one  (species  not 
determined)  in  the  Zechstein  of  Northumberland.  We 
have  in  M.  Deshayes's  Tertiary  Tables  seventy-two  spe- 
cies, forty-two  of  which  are  from  the  Paris  basin  (Eocene 
period). 

In  the  Green  Sand  of  New  Jersey  and  Delaware, 
Dr  Morton  has  observed  four  or  five  species.  From  the 
Tertiary  of  Maryland  Mr  Say  has  described  the  compressi- 
rostra,  and  Mr  Conrad  has  there  observed  the  virginica 
(Lamarck).  Mr  Conrad  has  described  three  species  from 
South  Carolina  and  Alabama,  and  has  noticed  the  virgi- 
nica at  Suffolk,  Virginia. 


94  CONTRIBUTIONS 


CLASS    MOLLUSCA. 


ORDER  GASTEROPODA. 


FAMILY  CALYPTRACIANA. 

GENUS  FISSURELLA.     Lamarck. 

F.  Claibornensis.     Plate  3.     Fig.  74. 

Description.  Shell  elliptical,  on  the  back  convexly 
conical,  thin  ;  ribs  numerous,  cut  by  striae,  at  the  sections 
enlarged ;  fissure  rather  large,  oblong,  inclined ;  margin 
minutely  crenulate. 

Long.  diam.  .4,  Transv.  diam.  .3,  Height  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  One  specimen  and  a  fragment  are  all  I 
have  seen  from  this  locality.  It  has  some  resemblance  to 
F.  grceca  (Lamarck),  but  is  more  elevated,  has  smaller  ribs, 
and  is  not  ovate,  but  elliptical.  It  differs,  too,  in  the  crenu- 
lation  of  the  margin,  those  of  the  grceca  being  in  pairs. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  95 

Two  species  only  of  this  genus  seem  to  have  been  ob- 
served in  England,  neither  of  which  belongs  to  the  London 
Clay.  The  clathrata  has  been  found  in  the  Great  Oolite — 
the  graca  in  the  Crag.  In  the  Tertiary  Tables  of  M.  Des- 
hayes  we  have  eight  species,  four  of  which  are  from  the 
Paris  basin.  From  the  Maryland  deposit  we  have  two 
species,  .F.  redimicula  (Say),  and  F.  grceca  (Lamarck), 
specimens  of  both  of  which  may  be  seen  in  the  Academy 
of  Natural  Sciences.  Of  the  grwca  being  the  anologue  of 
the  West  India  species  I  have  great  doubt. 


GENUS  HIPPONIX.     Defrance  and  Blainmlle. 

H.  pygmwa.     Plate  3.     Fig.  75. 

Description.  Shell  subrotund,  obliquely  conical,  closely 
ribbed  ;  apex  straight,  pointed ;  cicatrices  impressed  ;  mar- 
gin entire. 

Long.  diam.  .2,    Transv.  diam.  3-20ths,    Height  nearly  .1  ,of  an  inch. 

Figure  magnified. 

Observations.  This  interesting  little  shell  has  a  strong 
resemblance  in  form  to  H.  cornucopia  (Defrance  and  Blain- 
ville),  Pileopsis  cornucopia  (Lamarck).  I  have  determined 
to  place  it  in  that  genus  in  consequence  of  its  possessing 
the  horse  shoe  shaped  cicatrix  mentioned  by  Blainville,* 
although  I  have  not  seen  it  attached  to  any  support. 

*  Manuel  de  Malacologie,  &c.  p.  507. 


96  CONTRIBUTIONS 

Sowerby  mentions  two  species  of  the  genus  Pileopsis, 
from  which  this  is  separated,  as  being  found  in  the  Moun- 
tain Limestone  ;  and  Mantell  one  species  from  the  Lower 
Green  Sand  of  Sussex.  These  are,  I  believe,  all  which 
have  been  observed  in  Great  Britain.  M.  Defrance  men- 
tions five  fossile  species  of  the  genus  Hipponix.  M.  Des- 
hayes  gives  us  twelve  species  of  Hipponix  in  his  Tertiary 
Tables — of  these,  eight  are  from  Paris,  nearly  the  whole 
being  found  in  the  Eocene  period.  It  has  not,  I  believe, 
been  before  noticed  in  this  country.  This  genus  was  founded 
by  M.  Defrance  from  the  examination  of  the  animal  brought 
by  M.M.  Quoy  and  Gamard,  which  proved  to  differ  from 
that  of  the  Pileopsis  (Lamarck).*  Schumacher,  in  1817, 
separated  the  group  from  the  Linnean  Patella,  and  made 
P.  ungarica  the  type  of  a  new  genus  under  the  name 
Jlmalthea. 


GENUS  INFUNDIBULUM.     Montfort. 

I.  trochiformis      Plate  3.     Fig.  76. 

Description.  Shell  orbicular,  obtusely  conical,  slightly 
tuberculated  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin  ;  whorls  all  ob- 
scure except  the  first. 

Diam.  .3,  Height  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Branders's  figures  of  Trochus  apertus  (In. 
tuberculatum,  Sowerby),  and  T.  opercularis^  resemble  this 

*  Manuel  de  Malacologie,  &c.  p.  507. 
t  Hampshire  Fossils,  plate  I,  fig.  1,  2,  3. 


TO    GEOLOGY.  97 

species.  It  appears,  however,  to  be  a  thinner  shell  than 
either,  and  to  be  less  tuberculated.  These  tubercles  are 
disposed  to  be  spinous  and  open  at  the  top  ;  and  in  some 
specimens  are  obsolete. 


Of  this  genus,  six  species  have  been  observed  in  the 
Tertiary  strata  of  England.  One  in  the  Plastic  Clay, 
three  in  the  London  Clay,  and  two  in  the  Crag.  M.  Des- 
hayes  does  not  recognise  the  genus.  In  this  country,  it 
has  not,  I  believe,  before  been  observed  in  a  fossil  state. 


GENUS  CREPIDULA.     Lamarck. 

C.  cornu-arietes.     Plate  3.     Fig.  77. 

Description.  Shell  elliptical,  very  convex,  longitudinally 
curved ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thick ;  diaphragm 
rather  large  and  somewhat  thick ;  beak  elevated,  produced, 
curved  outwards  and  backwards  ;  margin  oblique,  the  ele- 
vated side  being  on  that  of  the  beak. 
Long.  diam.  1.5,  Transv.  diam.  .7,  Height  .6,  of  an  inch. 

C.  lirata  ?  Conrad. 

Observations.  This  fine  species  differs  much  from  any 
recent  or  fossil  one  with  which  I  am  acquainted.  Its  ob- 
lique margin,  and  its  elevated,  produced  beak  resembling 
the  prow  of  a  Roman  galley,  eminently  distinguish  it.  It 
differs  from  C.  costata  (Morton),  in  being  more  elliptical, 
convex  and  produced  in  the  beaks. 

N 


98  CONTRIBUTIONS 

I  am  not  aware  of  this  genus  having  been  found  in 
a  fossil  state  in  Great  Britain.  M.  Deshayes  gives  us  three 
for  the  Tertiary  on  the  continent.  Dr  Morton  has  observed 
one,  C.  costata,  in  the  Tertiary  of  St  Mary's,  Maryland, 
and  Mr  Conrad  obtained  two  in  the  Upper  Marine  Forma- 
tion of  Maryland,  viz.  the  convexa  and  glauca,  both  of 
which  Mr  Say  obtained  in  a  living  state  on  our  coast. 
Mr  Conrad  has  also  described  a  species,  the  lirata,  from 
Claiborne. 


FAMILY  BULL^SANA. 


GENUS  BULLA.    Linnaus. 

B.  St  JMam.*     Plate  4.     Fig.  78. 

Description,  Shell  cylindrical,  transversely  striate  ;  sub- 
stance of  the  shell  rather  thick  ;  spire  truncate  and  umbi- 
licate ;  whorls  somewhat  compressed  in  the  middle  ;  co- 
lumella  thickened  at  the  base  ;  mouth  linear,  wider  at  the 
base  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 

Length  .7,  Breadth  5-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  resembles  the  figure  of  Sow- 
erby's  constricta.^  Ours  is  wider  at  the  base,  and  the  base 

*  Named  after  the  enlightened  traveller  and  naturalist  Geoffrey  St 
Hillaire. 
t  Min.  Conch,  plate  464,  fig.  2. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  99 

of  the  columella,  where  it  is  disposed  to  put  on  an  obscure 
fold,  is  thicker. 


Eight  species  have  been  observed  in  England.  One  in 
the  Coral  Rag,  five  in  the  London  Clay,  and  two  in  the 
Crag.  M.  Deshayes  gives  twenty-three  in  his  Tertiary 
Tables — fourteen  are  from  the  Paris  basin. 

In  the  Green  Sand  Formation  of  Jersey,  Dr  Morton 
thinks  he  has  observed  casts  of  the  Bulla.  In  the  Tertiary 
of  Maryland,  Mr  Conrad  has  obtained  one  species,  Bulla 
acuminata  (Sowerby). 


FAMILY  MELANIANA. 


GENUS  PASITHEA.     (nobis.) 

Description.  Shell  turrited,  sometimes  umbilicate ; 
mouth  entire,  angular  above,  somewhat  effuse  at  base ; 
columella  smooth,  thickened. 

Observations.  The  mouth  of  the  shells  in  the  genus  pro- 
posed above  has  a  strong  resemblance  to  the  genus  Mela- 
nia.*  It  is,  however,  less  effuse  at  the  base,  straighter  and 

*  The  distinguished  geologist,  M.  Brogniart,  in  his  "  Terrains  du  Vi- 
centin,"  page  58,  describes  three  species  of  Melania,  two  of  which  might 
with  propriety  be  placed  in  the  genus  Pasithea.  He  makes  the  following 


100  CONTRIBUTIONS 

more  angular  above.  Were  it  not  a  marine  shell,  there 
might  be  some  doubt  of  the  propriety  of  a  separation. 
This  group  might  be  placed  in  the  genus  Rissoa,  if  it  were 
not  that  the  mouth  is  acutely  angular  above,  and  is  not 
thickened  into  a  varix,  as  that  genus  is.  Captain  Brown, 
in  his  "  Illustrations  of  the  Conchology  of  Great  Britain 
and  Ireland,"  establishes  a  genus  (Pyramis),  which  this 
perhaps  more  closely  resembles,  but  judging  by  the  figures 
(there  are  no  descriptions)  I  believe  there  is  a  generic 
difference.* 

P.  secale.     Plate  4.     Fig.  79. 

Description.  Shell  subulate,  smooth ;  substance  of  the 
shell  thin  ;  apex  acute  ;  suture  linear  ;  whorls  eight,  flat- 
tened ;  mouth  acutely  angular  above — rounded  below,  one 


introductory  remarks.  "  On  salt  que  ce  genre  artificiel  renferme  un 
grand  nombre  d'especes  heterogenes,  differentes  par  la  forme  generale, 
par  les  habitudes,  et  meme  par  le  caractere  artificiel,  tire"  de  la  forme  de 
1'ouverture.  C'est  done  pour  me  conformer  a  ce  que  a  etc  fait,"  &c. 

*  Some  time  after  the  observation  and  note  were  made  upon  this  genus, 
I  observed  in  M.  Payraudeau's  excellent  work  on  the  recent  shells  of 
Corsica,  the  description  and  figure  of  the  Melania  Camlessedesii,  No.  234, 
which  naturally  belongs  to  the  genus  Pasiihea.  He  says,  "  j'aurais  pu 
creer  un  genre  nouveau  pour  cette  espece  qui  n'est  point,  comme  les 
vraies  Melanies,  une  coquille  fluviatile,  mais  marine."  After  some  fur- 
ther observations,  he  proposes  to  make  a  division  of  the  genus  Melania 
for  these  marine  species.  I  believe  it  is  now  universally  conceded,  that 
there  would  be  an  impropriety  in  placing  in  the  same  genus  those  ani- 
mals whose  habits  lead  them  to  breathe  salt  water  with  those  which 
breathe  fresh  water  or  air  alone.  When  the  animal  is  so  organized  as  to 
be  capable  indifferently  of  breathing  both,  as  in  the  migratory  fishes,  it  is 
a  very  different  matter. 


ft 


PL.  AT 


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8'.'  AvicuhUl  »li  ACTEOM 

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8 1  sidcitta.  MB iltvatuj! 

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8(5  i>uduij  UHl    ttrioius 

&'<  CUubarntnsif       li>J 

8S  WATICA  striata  10?  sr AI.AKIA 

tV 


bifai-ta&itti,        J?O  TfRKITKLKA rarina£* 

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ttrnattan-  li'J  CKKlTHir M itriatum> 

talota. 


110 
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IH  • 


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.' 


TO  GEOLOGY.  101 

third  the  length  of  the  shell ;  columella  smooth,  somewhat 
thickened  at  base ;  outer  lip  edged. 
Length  7-20ths,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 


Observations.  In  this  species,  which  is  the  largest  of 
those  I  have  noticed,  the  inner  lip  is  less  thickened  than 
those  which  follow. 


P.  notata.     Plate  4.     Fig.  80. 


Description.  Shell  subulate,  highly  polished ;  substance 
of  the  shell  rather  thick ;  apex  acute  ;  suture  very  small ; 
whorls  eleven,  very  flat,  each  one  being  marked  with  an 
impressed  oblique  line  of  growth  ;  mouth  small,  acutely 
angular  above,  about  one  fifth  the  length  of  the  shell;  colu- 
mella somewhat  thickened  at  the  base  ;  outer  lip  somewhat 
arched,  with  an  obtuse  edge. 

Length  7-20ths,  Breadth  .1,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  pretty  little  species  is  more  attenu- 
ate than  the  preceding,  and  is  remarkable  for  the  slightly 
oblique  lines  of  growth  in  each  whorl,  and  which  recede 
spirally  from  the  mouth  to  the  apex. 

P.  lugubris.     Plate  4.     Fig.  81. 

Description.  Shell  rather  subulate,  polished ;  substance 
of  the  shell  rather  thin ;  apex  rounded ;  suture  linear ; 
whorls  seven,  flattened;  mouth  subovate,  about  one  fifth  the 
length  of  the  shell ;  columella  slightly  recurved  at  base  ; 
margin  thickened  all  round. 

Length  3-20ths,  Breadth  l-20th,  of  an  inch, 


t 


102  CONTRIBUTIONS 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  This  minute  species  resembles  P.  notata 
above  described,  but  has  not  the  marks  of  growth.  It  is  a 
smaller  species,  and  the  whorls  are  not  quite  so  flat. 

P.  aciculata.     Plate  4.     Fig.  82. 

Description.  Shell  acicular,  highly  polished  ;  substance 
of  the  shell  thin  ;  apex  very  acute ;  suture  linear,  very  mi- 
nute ;  whorls  nine,  flattened  ;  mouth  elongate,  acutely  an- 
gular above — obtusely  angular  below,  about  one  fourth  the 
length  of  the  shell ;  columella  slightly  thickened  ;  outer 
lip  edged. 

Length  3-20ths,  Breadth  l-20th,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  This  is  the  most  attenuate  of  the  genus, 
so  far  as  my  observations  have  extended,  and  is  an  interest- 
ing minute  species,  remarkable  for  its  high  polish  and 
delicate  form. 

P.  striata.     Plate  4.    .Fig.  83. 

Description.  Shell  conical,  transversely  striate ;  sub- 
stance of  the  shell  thin ;  apex  rather  acute ;  suture  im- 
pressed ;  whorls  eight,  rounded ;  mouth  subovate,  about  one 
fourth  the  length  of  the  shell ;  columela  flattened  at  the 
base. 

Length  4-20ths,  Breadth  nearly  .1,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  103 

Observations.  This  species  differs  from  those  which  pre- 
cede it,  in  having  transverse  stria3.  The  whorls  are  inflated, 
while  the  others  are  flat. 

P.  sulcata.     Plate  4.     Fig.  84. 

Description.  Shell  conical,  largely  and  transversely  sul- 
cate  above ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin ;  apex  obtuse ;  suture 
furrowed ;  whorls  five,  flattened  ;  mouth  subelliptical,  one 
third  the  length  of  the  shell ;  columella  flattened  at  the 
base ;  margin  thickened  above. 

Length  .1 ,  Breadth  l-20th,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  A  very  minute  species,  remarkable  for  its 
large  furrows,  which  become  obsolete  on  the  lower  part  of 
the  whorls.  It  differs  from  striata  in  being  less  elevated, 
as  well  as  in  having  furrows. 

P.  umbilicata.     Plate  4.     Fig.  85. 

Description.  Shell  elevated  above,  rounded  below,  sub- 
carinate,  polished;  substance  of  the  shell  thin;  apex  acute ; 
suture  linear ;  umbilicus  large ;  whorls  nine,  flattened ; 
mouth  subovate,  acutely  angular  above,  one  fifth  the  length 
of  the  shell ;  columella  incurved  at  base  ;  margin  entire. 

Length  .2,  Breadth  .1,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 
Observations.     This  smooth  and  polished  species  differs 
from  the  above  in  being  umbilicate.    Its  umbilicus  is  wide, 


104  CONTRIBUTIONS 

with  a  large  spiral  groove.    On  some  of  the  whorls  the  line 
of  growth  may  be  indistinctly  seen. 

P.  guttula.     Plate  4.     Fig.  86. 

Description.  Shell  subovate,  truncate  at  top,  smooth  ; 
substance  of  the  shell  rather  thin ;  apex  truncate ;  suture 
linear  ;  whorls  four,  flattened  above ;  mouth  subovate, 
acutely  angular  above,  about  two  fifths  the  length  of  the 
shell ;  columella  slightly  incurved  at  base  ;  margin  thick- 
ened on  the  superior  part,  closing  up  a  small  portion  of  the 
mouth. 

Length  nearly  .1,  Breadth  l-20th,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  A  single  perfect  specimen  only  of  this 
curious  little  species  has  been  observed  by  me.  It  is  close- 
ly allied  to  the  Claibornensis,  but  differs  in  the  mouth,  in 
the  flatness  of  the  whorls  and  the  truncation  of  the  apex. 

P.  Claibornensis.     Plate  4.     Fig.  87. 

Description.  Shell  subovate,  smooth  ;  substance  of  the 
shell  very  thick  ;  apex  obtuse  ;  suture  impressed  ;  whorls 
four,  rounded  ;  mouth  small,  subangular  above,  one  third 
the  length  of  the  shell ;  columella  thickened ;  margin 
very  much  thickened  on  the  superior  part,  closing  up  a 
large  portion  of  the  mouth. 

Length  .2,  Breadth  .1,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.     A  single  specimen,  the  mouth  of  which 


TO  GEOLOGY.  105 

is  not  perfect,  is  the  only  one  which  I  have  seen.  It  has 
a  short  spire,  but  is  most  remarkable  for  its  small  and 
almost  round  mouth,  above  which  the  margin  is  so  much 
thickened  as  to  fill  up  a  large  portion  of  the  arch.  It  is 
more  nearly  allied  to  the  guttula,  than  any  other  of  the 
genus. 


FAMILY  NERITACEA. 

GENUS  NATICA.     Drapernaud. 

JV.  striata.     Plate  4.     Fig.  88. 

Description.  Shell  obliquely  elliptical,  transversely  and 
closely  striate  ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thick ;  spire 
rather  pointed ;  columella  smooth  and  thickened ;  outer 
lip  sharp ;  umbilicus  small ;  whorls  four,  depressed  above, 
rounded  below ;  mouth  spread  out,  ovate,  being  two  thirds 
the  length  of  the  shell. 

Length  .7,  Breadth  .5,  of  an  inch. 

Sigaretus  bilix  ?  Conrad. 

Observations.  This  interesting  species  approaches  in 
form  the  genera  Stomatella  and  Sigaretus*,  but  is  not  suf- 
ficiently depressed,  to  be  placed  with  either  of  them.  It 
is  disposed  to  be,  like  them,  obliquely  flattened  in  front.  I 

*  M.  de  Blainville  says  it  is  evident  that  the  Sigaretus  and  Stomatella 
can  only  be  separated  by  the  interior  nacre  of  the  latter,  which  is  pearly. 
o 


106  CONTRIBUTIONS 

have  two  specimens  of  a  fossil  shell  from  France,  so  closely 
resembling  our  species,  that  it  might  be  doubted  if  there 
be  propriety  in  making  ours  a  new  species.  It  is,  how- 
ever, a  larger  shell,  and  has  little  or  no  umbilicus.  It 
came  to  me  without  a  name,  and  I  cannot  find  a  descrip- 
tion of  it  in  any  of  the  works  to  which  I  have  access.  It 
has  no  doubt  been  described.  It  may  be  Natica  sigare- 
tina,  quoted  by  M.  Deshayes  in  his  Tertiary  Tables'?  I 
have  also  a  recent  species,  which  I  do  not  know  to  be  de- 
scribed, and  which  I  think  came  from  New  Holland,  so 
like  to  these  fossil  species,  that  it  would  be  difficult  to  dis- 
criminate between  them,  were  it  not  in  possession  of  a 
much  larger  umbilicus.  In  the  specimens  of  striata  in  my 
cabinet,  I  observe  much  difference  in  the  striee.  In  some  of 
them,  these  strise  are  alternately  larger  and  smaller ;  some- 
times they  run  two  or  three  together ;  in  the  latter  case, 
the  surface  might  properly  be  said  to  be  grooved.  I  do  riot 
consider  these  differences  sufficient  to  create  new  species 
unless  accompanied  by  difference  of  form. 

JV.  parva.     Plate  4.     Fig.  89. 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform,  smooth  ;  substance  of 
the  shell  thin ;  spire  produced  and  pointed  ;  columella 
thickened  above ;  outer  lip  sharp ;  umbilicus  small ; 
whorls  five,  flattened  above  ;  mouth  semi-lunate,  rather 
more  than  half  the  length  of  the  shell. 

Length  .4,  Breadth  5-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  The  spire  of  this  species  is  more  pro- 
duced than  any  I  know.  The  umbilicus  is  remarkably 


TO  GEOLOGY.  107 

small.  The  thickest  part  of  the  columella  being  above, 
there  is  no  reflection  over  the  umbilicus.  The  suture  is 
very  small.  It  differs  from  the  gibbosa  (herein  described), 
in  having  the  whorls  more  flattened  above,  and  in  having 
a  small  umbilicus.  It  differs  also  in  the  callus. 

A*,  minor.    Plate  4.     Fig.  90. 

Description.  Shell  sub-elliptical,  smooth  ;  substance  of 
the  shell  thin;  spire  produced  and  rounded  at  apex;  sutures 
impressed;  columella  thickened  and  reflected  about  the 
middle  of  the  umbilicus ;  umbilicus  large ;  whorls  four, 
rounded  ;  mouth  semi-lunate,  about  two  thirds  the  length 
of  the  shell. 

Length  .3,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  somewhat  resembles  the 
gibbosa  but  is  very  much  smaller.  It  is  remarkable 
for  its  length  and  for  the  roundness  of  its  whorls,  in 
which  it  has  some  resemblance  to  the  Paludina.  The 
callous  or  thickened  part  of  the  columella  is  placed  direct- 
ly in  the  middle  of  the  umbilicus,  and  in  this  specimen, 
the  only  one  I  have  seen,  there  are  two  or  three  angular 
impressions  on  the  lower  part  of  it.  I  have  not  mention- 
ed this  character  in  the  specific  description,  doubting  if 
it  exists  on  all. 

JV.  minima.     Plate  4.     Fig.  91. 

Description.  Shell  globose,  smooth  ;  substance  of  the 
shell  thin  ;  spire  flattened  ;  sutures  impressed  ;  columella 


108  CONTRIBUTIONS 

thickened,  the  callus  being  reflected  at  the  middle  of  the 
umbilicus  ;  umbilicus  large,  grooved  ;  whorls  four,  round- 
ed ;  mouth  subovate,  about  three  fourths  the  length  of  the 
shell. 
Length  5-20ths,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  In  the  roundness  of  the  whorls  it  resem- 
bles the  minor  described  above,  but  differs  in  being  globose, 
while  that  shell  is  more  elliptical.  It  has  also  a  much 
smaller  callus. 

JV.  gibbosa.     Plate  4.     Fig.  92. 

Description.  Shell  subovate,  gibbous,  smooth ;  spire 
rather  produced ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick ;  callus 
thick ;  umbilicus  large ;  whorls  five  ;  mouth  sub-elliptical. 

Length  1.1,  Breadth  .9,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  I  have  received  but  a  single  specimen  of 
this  species.  It  is  rather  more  elongated  than  usual  in 
the  Notice.  The  upper  part  of  the  whorls  being  flattened 
and  the  lower  part  being  inflated,  gives  the  shell  a  gibbous 
appearance. 

JV".  semilunata.     Plate  4.     Fig.  93. 

Description.  Shell  subglobose,  smooth ;  substance  of  the 
shell  rather  thin ;  spire  slightly  elevated ;  suture  rather 
impressed;  columella  but  slightly  thickened,  the  callus 
being  reflected  at  the  middle  of  the  umbilicus  ;  umbilicus 
large  and  grooved ;  whorls  five,  inflated,  slightly  flattened 


TO  GEOLOGY.  109 

below  the  suture  ;  mouth  semi-lunate,  about  two  thirds 
the  length  of  the  shell. 

Length  .4,  Breadth  7-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

The  figure  is  somewhat  larger  than  nature. 

Observations.  This  species  resembles  the  minor  above 
described,  but  differs  from  it  in  being  more  globose,  the 
spire  being  much  more  depressed.  The  depression  of  the 
superior  part  of  the  whorl  also  distinguishes  it. 

JV".  magno-umbilicata.     Plate  4.     Fig.  94. 

Description.  Shell  subglobose,  smooth  ;  substance  of 
the  shell  thin ;  spire  depressed,  rounded ;  suture  small ; 
columella  very  slightly  thickened,  the  callus  being  small 
and  reflected  above  the  middle  of  the  umbilicus ;  umbili- 
cus very  wide,  grooved ;  whorls  three,  inflated,  with  lon- 
gitudinal folds  on  the  superior  part ;  mouth  semi-lunate, 
nearly  three  fourths  the  length  of  the  shell. 

Length  .2,  Breadth  nearly  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  single  specimen  only  of  this  species 
has  come  under  my  examination.  It  most  resembles  the 
minima  (above  described),  but  has  a  larger  umbilicus.  It 
differs  from  all  the  species  herein  described,  in  having  folds 
radiating  below  the  sutures. 

JV.  mamma.     Plate  4.     Fig.  95. 

Description.  Shell  subglobose,  flattened  below,  smooth ; 
substance  of  the  shell  thin ;  spire  rounded  at  the  apex, 


110  CONTRIBUTIONS 

pointed ;  suture  very  small ;  columella  much  thickened 
above ;  outer  lip  sharp  ;  callus  folding  into  the  superior 
part  of  the  umbilicus ;  umbilicus  large ;  whorls  four, 
rather  depressed  above  and  rounded  below  ;  mouth  ovate, 
being  about  three  fifths  the  length  of  the  shell. 

Length  .5,  Breadth  .5,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Somewhat  allied  to  gibbosa,  but  differs  in 
the  form  of  the  whorls  and  the  length  of  the  spire.  The 
last  whorl  of  the  mamma  is  so  large  that  but  a  small  por- 
tion of  the  superior  whorls  is  visible. 


The  genus  Natica  is  widely  spread  through  the  various 
strata  from  the  Inferior  Oolite  to  the  Crag  in  Great  Britain, 
where  nearly  twenty  species  have  been  observed.  Twelve 
of  these  have  been  found  in  and  about  the  London  Clay. 
M.  Deshayes  mentions  forty-one  as  being  found  in  the 
Tertiary  period,  being  well  distributed  through  the  Plio- 
cene, Miocene  and  Eocene  periods.  In  this  country,  Dr 
Morton  has  found  casts  in  the  Cretaceous  Group  of  New 
Jersey,  and  four  have  been  described  by  Messrs  Say  and 
Conrad  from  the  Tertiary  of  Maryland. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  Ill 


FAMILY  PLICACEA. 

GENUS  ACTEON.*     Montfort. 
A.  punctatus.     Plate  4.     Fig.  96. 

Description.  Shell  ovately  conical,  transversely  and 
closely  furrowed ;  furrows  closely  set  with  punctures ;  sub- 
stance of  the  shell  rather  thick;  spire  rather  elevated, 
pointed  ;  suture  somewhat  impressed  ;  columella  with  one 
fold;  whorls  five;  mouth  narrow,  about  three  fifths  the  length 
of  the  shell ;  outer  lip  thickened  about  the  middle. 

Length  7-20ths,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  beautiful  little  species  is  remarkable 
for  its  graceful  form  and  beautifully  punctured  furrows.  It 
is  closely  allied  to  the  lineata  (herein  described).  It  dif- 
fers in  being  less  conical,  and  in  having  larger  punctures. 
Only  one  specimen  of  these  in  my  possession  has  the  thick- 
ened lip.  Of  the  remainder,  one  seems  young,  the  other 
broken.  Sowerby's  figure  of  A.  JYoce,  (Min.  Conch,  plate 
374)  has  a  strong  resemblance  to  this  species,  but  does 
not  seem  to  have  the  punctured  furrows,  or  thickened  out 

HP. 

*  Tornatella  (Lamarck), 


112  CONTRIBUTIONS 


A.  lineatus.     Plate  4.     Fig.  97. 

Description.  Shell  conical,  transversely  furrowed  ;  fur- 
rows closely  set  with  minute  punctures  ;  substance  of  the 
shell  thin ;  spire  elevated,  pointed ;  suture  impressed  ;  colu- 
mella  with  one  fold  ;  whorls  six  ;  mouth  rather  narrow, 
about  half  the  length  of  the  shell ;  outer  lip  crenate. 

Length  .3,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  very  beautiful  and  interesting  little 
species  closely  resembles  the  last  described,  but  is  spe- 
cifically different.  It  has  a  still  closer  resemblance  to  a 
species  in  my  cabinet  from  the  Paris  basin,  which  I  do  not 
know  to  be  described.  It  is  not,  however,  quite  so  elevated 
as  that  specimen.  It  differs,  also,  in  having  one  band  or 
space,  without  a  furrow,  on  the  superior  part  of  the  body 
whorl,  while  the  other  has  two  such  bands.  In  our  spe- 
cies the  superior  whorls  have  but  three  furrows,  that  from 
Paris  has  four.  These  characters  may  be  found  to  differ  in 
other  individuals.  In  outline  it  resembles  the  striatus 
(Sowerby)  (Min.  Conch,  vol.  5),  but  differs  in  many  other 
characters.  The  Jlcteon  ovoides  (Conrad),  from  the  Ter- 
tiary of  Maryland,  is  very  similar  to  this  in  general  form, 
but  does  not  appear  to  have  any  punctures  in  the  furrows. 
I  have  not,  however,  seen  a  good  specimen  of  it. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  113 


A.  elevatus.     Plate  4.     Fig.  98. 

Description.  Shell  subulate,  polished,  furnished  with  a 
single  transverse  furrow  near  the  middle  of  the  whorl ;  sub- 
stance of  the  shell  rather  thick ;  spire  very  much  elevated ; 
suture  furrowed  ;  columella  with  one  large  and  one  small 
fold  ;  whorls  flattened  above  the  medial  furrow  ;  mouth  ob- 
lique, subovate  ;  outer  lip  simple. 
Length  ....  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  interesting  species  differs  from  any 
with  which  I  am  acquainted.  The  specimens  I  have  been 
able  to  examine  (three)  are  all  more  or  less  broken.  The 
best  one  which  is  here  figured  is  broken  at  the  top,  six 
whorls  only  remaining.  It  most  probably  had  about  ten. 
At  first  view  of  the  mouth,  the  large  fold  only  would  be  ob- 
served. More  internally,  and  below  it,  a  very  minute  one 
may  be  seen  with  the  aid  of  the  miscroscope.  In  one  speci- 
men this  lower  fold  appears  to  be  disposed  to  separate  into 
two — other  individuals  may  show  this  character  more 
developed. 

A.  melanellus.     Plate  4.     Fig.  99. 

Description.  Shell  subulate,  smooth  ;  substance  of  the 
shell  rather  thick  ;  spire  elevated,  pointed  ;  suture  sharply 
impressed  ;  columella  with  a  single  large  fold  ;  whorls  six, 
flattened ;  mouth  ovate,  outer  lip  simple. 

Length  7-20ths,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

P 


114  CONTRIBUTIONS 

Observations.  This  small  species  has  some  resemblance 
to  the  last  described,  but  differs  in  size,  in  the  number  of 
folds,  and  in  being  without  a  furrow. 

A.  striatus.     Plate  4.     Fig.  100. 

Description.  Shell  subulate,  polished,  minutely  and 
transversely  striate ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thin ; 
suture  deep  and  sharp;  columella  with  a  single  large  fold  ; 
whorls ,  flattened. 

Length  ....  Breadth  .1,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  But  a  fragment  of  this  species  has  come 
under  my  observation,  and  the  figure  represents  it  with  its 
broken  mouth  and  spire.  There  is  enough  of  the  remains 
to  distinguish  it  from  those  before  described.  It  most  re- 
sembles the  last,  but  differs  in  being  striate,  and  is  appa- 
rently more  attenuate  in  the  spire,  which  I  presume  is  very 
acute. 

A.  pygmwus.     Plate  4.     Fig.  10L 

Description.  Shell  subulate,  smooth,  polished ;  substance 
of  the  shell  thin  ;  suture  impressed  ;  spire  elevated  ;  colu- 
mella with  a  single,  rather  small  fold,  whorls  six,  flattened ; 
mouth  ovate  ;  outer  lip  simple. 

Length  3-20ths,  Breadth  l-20th,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 
Observations.     This  diminutive  species  resembles  most 


TO  GEOLOGY.  115 

the  last  described,  differing,  however,  in  being  less  elevated 
and  without  striae.  It  has  some  resemblance  to  Jl.  mela- 
noides  (Conrad),  but  has  no  striae. 


The  genus  Acteon  has  been  observed  in  England,  where 
nine  species  have  been  described,  as  low  as  the  Inferior 
Oolite  ;  two  are  from  the  London  Clay,  and  two  from  the 
Crag.  M.  Deshayes's  Tables  give  eleven  from  the  Tertiary 
period:  being  in  all  the  three  subdivided  periods,  Pliocene, 
Miocene  and  Eocene.  In  the  Tertiary  of  Maryland,  at  St 
Mary's,  Mr  Conrad  has  observed  two,  ovoides  and  mela- 
y  described  by  him  in  vol.  6,  Jour.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci. 


FAMILY  SCALARIANA. 

GENUS  SCALARIA.     Lamarck. 

S.  planulata.     Plate  4.     Fig.  102. 

Description.  Shell  conical,  closely  ribbed,  minutely  and 
transversely  striate  between  the  ribs ;  substance  of  the  shell 
thick  ;  spire  rather  elevated  ;  ribs  about  twelve,  rounded ; 

whorls  ,  flattened,  the  last  one  only  ribbed  to  the 

middle ;  mouth  round. 
Length  .3,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Having  only  a  single  specimen  of  this 
species,  and  that  mutilated,  I  am  unable  to  give  its  charac- 


116  CONTRIBUTIONS 

ters  with  certainty.  The  mouth  and  apex  are  destroyed. 
The  figure  represents  it  in  that  state.  It  is  flatter  on  the 
whorls  than  usual  in  this  genus.  The  inferior  half  of  the 
body  whorl  is  not  ribbed  but  transversely  striate.  It  seems 
closely  allied  to  S.  semicosta  (Sowerby.) 

S.  carinata.     Plate  4.     Fig.  103. 

Description.  Shell  conical,  closely  ribbed,  carinate  on  the 
inferior  part  of  the  last  whorl ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick  ; 
spire  elevated,  pointed ;  ribs  about  twelve,  lamelliform  ; 
whorls  six,  rounded ;  mouth  round. 

Length  ....  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  All  the  specimens  I  have  of  this  species 
are  more  or  less  mutilated,  the  lip  is  not  perfect  in  any  one. 
It  differs  from  the  above  in  having  rounded  whorls,  in  the 
continuation  of  the  ribs  to  the  base,  and  in  the  sharpness  of 
those  ribs.  In  the  carina  it  resembles  the  lamellosa  (La- 
marck), a  recent  species  from  our  southern  coasts.  It  is, 
however,  specifically  different,  being  a  smaller  species  and 
more  attenuated. 

S.  quinquefasciata. 

Description.  Two  fragments  of  a  species,  for  which  I 
propose  this  name,  are  in  my  cabinet.  These  display  suffi- 
cient characters  to  distinguish  it.  Five  rather  depressed 
bands  are  placed,  transversely,  on  the  middle  of  the  whorls. 
Between  the  ribs  are  transverse  striae.  The  ribs  are  sixteen 
in  number  and  lamelliform.  It  is  carinate  below,  with  a 


TO  GEOLOGY.  117 

small  round  mouth  which  is  much  thickened  and  reflected. 
The  ribs  have  some  resemblance  to  the  multistriata  (Say), 
a  recent  species  of  our  southern  coasts,  but  it  certainly  is  not 
the  same  species. 


In  England  the  Scalariw  have  not  been  found  below 
the  London  Clay.  Five  have  been  described  from  that 
formation,  and  six  from  the  Crag.  The  Tables  of  M. 
Deshayes  give  twenty-two  species  from  the  three  periods 
of  the  Tertiary,  which  seem  there  to  be  nearly  equally 
distributed.  In  the  Cretaceous  Group  of  New  Jersey,  Dr 
Morton  discovered  a  fine  species  (annulata).  Mr  Conrad 
mentions  two  as  existing  in  the  Tertiary  of  Maryland. 


GENUS  DELPH1NULA.     Lamarck. 

D.  plana.     Plate  4.     Fig.  104. 

Description.  Shell  subdiscoidal,  carinate,  beneath  flat, 
obsoletely  and  transversely  striate,  above  rounded  and 
strongly  striate  ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thin  ;  spire 
flattened  ;  suture  widely  furrowed  ;  umbilicus  wide,  cari- 
nate,  striate ;  whorls  four  ;  mouth  oblique,  round  within, 
subangular  at  the  outer  edge. 

Length  .1,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  little  species  is  remarkable  for  the 
flatness  of  its  inferior  portion,  for  its  carina,  and  wide  fur- 
rowed suture.  Between  the  transverse  striee  and  in  the 


118  CONTRIBUTIONS 

furrow,  smaller  striae  may  be  perceived.  In  the  umbilicus 
the  striee  on  the  inferior  part  of  the  whorl  are  longitudinal 
— on  the  superior  part  transverse.  The  two  carinse  cause 
the  lip  to  be  slightly  angular. 

D.  depressa.     Plate  4.     Fig.  105. 

Description.  Shell  sublenticular,  polished,  obsoletely 
and  transversely  striate,  substance  of  the  shell  thick  ;  spire 
depressed ;  suture  slightly  impressed ;  umbilicus  rather 
small,  thickened  and  wrinkled  at  the  edge  ;  whorls  three ; 
mouth  subelliptical. 
Length  nearly  .1,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Of  this  curious  and  interesting  little 
species,  I  have  procured  but  a  single  specimen.  Its 
smoothness  and  general  form  are  very  unusual  in  this 
genus.  Its  lenticular  form  causes  the  mouth  to  be  some- 
what oval.  A  small  portion  only  of  the  lip  is  perfect,  and 
it  seems  to  be  thickened  and  somewhat  reflected. 


De  la  Beche  mentions  an  undetermined  species  as  ex- 
isting in  Yorkshire,  as  low  down  as  the  Oolitic  Group. 
Sowerby  does  not  describe  any,  in  his  "  Mineral  Con- 
chology."  M.  Deshayes,  in  his  excellent  Tables,  gives 
twelve  for  the  Tertiary.  There  are  eight  in  the  Paris 
basin,  and  five  in  the  London  basin. 

I  believe  none  have  been  heretofore  observed  in  our  de- 
posits. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  119 


FAMILY  TURBINACEA. 

GENUS  SOLARIUM.     Lamarck. 

S.  bilineatum.     Plate  4.     Fig.  106. 

Description.  Shell  sublenticular,  rather  elevated  above 
and  flattened  below,  with  a  double  line  near  the  margin  ; 
substance  of  the  shell  rather  thin ;  suture  with  a  double 
impressed  line ;  umbilicus  very  wide,  perspective,  largely 
crenate  ;  whorls  five,  sharply  carinate ;  mouth  subtri- 
angular. 

Length  .2,  Breadth  9-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  beautiful  depressed  species,  remarka- 
bly flat  on  the  inferior  side.  In  a  young  specimen  the 
inferior  side  of  the  carina  is  somewhat  crenate.  Within 
the  umbilicus,  beyond  the  crenulated  edge,  there  is  a 
minute  transverse  line. 

S.  Henrici.     Plate  4.     Fig.  107. 

Description.  Shell  lenticular,  rather  flattened  at  the 
apex,  with  radiating  wrinkles  above  and  below,  furrowed 
on  both  sides  of  the  carina  which  is  slightly  crenate  ;  sub- 
stance of  the  shell  thin ;  suture  impressed ;  umbilicus 
very  wide,  perspective,  crenate,  deeply  furrowed  within ; 
whorls  four ;  mouth  triangular. 
.  Length  l-SOth,  Breadth  ,2,  of  an  inch. 


120  CONTRIBUTIONS 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  A  single  specimen  of  this  pretty  little 
species  was  found  in  the  sand  of  the  box  in  which  the 
specimens  came,  by  a  young  conchologist  of  my  family. 
I  promised  him  that  it  should  be  his  species,  should  it 
prove  new,  of  which,  on  examination,  I  have  no  doubt. 
The  radiating  striae  are  closer  as  well  as  longer,  and  more 
numerous  below  than  above. 

S.  ornatum.     Plate  4.     Fig.  108. 

Description.  Shell  convex  above,  flattened  below,  fur- 
nished with  many  granular  transverse  lines,  three  of 
which,  on  the  superior  part  of  the  whorl,  are  larger  than 
the  others,  furrowed  on  both  sides  of  the  carina  which  is 
crenulate,  longitudinally  striate ;  substance  of  the  shell 
rather  thick  ;  suture  furrowed ;  umbilicus  very  wide,  per- 
spective, beautifully  crenate  at  the  edge,  furrowed  within 
and  longitudinally  striate ;  whorls  six ;  mouth  subor- 
bicular. 
Length  .2,  Breadth  9-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.    This  species  is  very  like  Branders's  figure 

• 

of  Turbo  canaliculatum,  and  Sowerby's  figure  of  the  same 
species,  Solarium  canaliculatum,  plate  524.  On  compari- 
son, however,  with  a  specimen  from  Hampshire,  sent  to  me 
under  that  name,  I  find  them  very  different ;  the  umbilicus 
being  much  wider  in  the  species  from  Claiborne,  which  is 
also  more  carinate,  and  has  smaller  and  more  numerous 
granulate  lines. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  121 


S.  elegans.     Plate  4.     Fig.  109. 

Description.  Shell  subdiscoidal,  polished,  transversely 
striate  above,  with  two  or  three  granular  transverse  lines ; 
substance  of  the  shell  thin ;  spire  flattened ;  suture  fur- 
rowed ;  umbilicus  wide,  perspective,  crenulate  ;  whorls 
five ;  mouth  round. 
Length  3-20ths,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  One  of  the  specimens  is  so  perfect  as  to 
present  coloured  spots  (oblique)  on  the  whorl.  It  is  with 
much  hesitation  I  place  this  and  the  two  following  species 
in  the  genus  Solarium.  Their  mouths  are  round,  and 
somewhat  like  that  of  the  Delphinula  and  Turbo,  but  the 
crenulate  umbilicus  seems  to  make  it  necessary  to  place 
them  in  this  genus.  In  the  form  of  the  mouth  they  re- 
semble the  S.  variegatum  (Lamarck),  which  is  nearly 
round.  With  that  species  they  might  form  a  natural  group. 

S.  cancellatum.     Plate  4.     Fig.  110. 

Description.  Shell  subconical,  crossed  by  longitudinal 
and  transverse  striae,  which  are  thickened  at  the  intersec- 
tion ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin  ;  suture  furrowed ;  umbi- 
licus rather  wide,  crenate  without,  cancellate  within,  per- 
spective ;  whorls  four  ;  mouth  suborbicular. 

Length  .1,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 
Observations.     This  beautiful  little  species  has  in  its  ge- 
Q 


CONTRIBUTIONS 

neral  form  most  resemblance  to  the  variegatum  of  Lamarck. 
It  is,  however,  a  minute  shell,  and  differs  in  most  of  its 
minor  characters. 

S.  granulatum.     Plate  4.     Fig.  111. 

Description.  Shell  conical,  flattened  below,  with  seven 
or  eight  transverse  granulate  lines,  between  which  it  is 
furnished  with  oblique  striae  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick ; 
suture  furrowed  ;  umbilicus  narrow,  largely  crenate  with- 
out, striate  within ;  whorls  five  ;  mouth  nearly  round,  sub- 
angular  above ;  outer  lip  crenate. 

Length  .2,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  This  truly  beautiful  little  species  resembles 
more  nearly  a  Turbo  than  either  of  the  two  last.  The 
roundness  of  its  mouth  and  the  elevation  of  its  spire  would 
seem  to  forbid  its  being  placed  in  the  genus  Solarium.  Its 
crenulate  umbilicus,  its  granulations,  and  its  crenulate  lip 
seem  to  make  it  necessary  to  place  it  here.  It  certainly 
resembles  S.  variegatum,  but  is  more  conical  and  has  not 
so  wide  an  umbilicus.  I  place  it  last  of  the  genus,  and  it 
may  be  considered  the  connecting  link  with  the  Turbones. 

Sedgewick  and  Murchison,  on  the  structure  of  the  East- 
ern Alps,  a  most  valuable  memoir  in  the  Geological  Soci- 
ety's Transactions,  vol.  3  of  2d  series,  plate  38,  fig.  14, 
represent  a  shell  under  the  name  of  Turbo  arenosus,  which 
certainly  resembles  our  shell,  but  it  is  more  elevated. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  123 

The  genus  Solarium  in  England,  where  seven  species 
have  been  described,  has  been  observed  as  low  down  in  the 
series  as  the  Inferior  Oolite.  Mr  Sowerby  describes  four 
from  the  London  Clay.  M.  Deshayes  gives,  in  his  Tables, 
sixteen  species  from  the  Tertiary.  Eight  of  these  are  from 
the  Eocene  of  the  Paris  basin,  and  six  from  the  Pliocene  of 
the  Subappennines.  Mr  Conrad  has  described  a  species 
from  Claiborne,  the  elaboratum. 


GENUS  ORBIS.     (nobis.) 

Description.  Shell  orbicular,  discoidal,  umbilicate ; 
mouth  quadrangular ;  umbilicus  large,  spiral ;  all  the 
whorls  on  both  sides  visible  ;  columella  none. 


I  have  in  vain  endeavoured  to  place  the  shell  on  which 
I  propose  to  found  the  above  genus,  in  some  one  already 
established.  It  appears  to  me  to  differ  so  essentially  in 
having  quadrangular  whorls,  and  of  course  having  the 
mouth  of  that  form,  that  I  could  not  with  propriety  place 
it  in  the  genus  Solarium  which  it  most  resembles.  It  has 
some  resemblance  to  the  genus  J\faclurite  (Lesueur),  but 
differs  in  the  plane  of  the  sides  and  the  mouth. 

O.rotella.     Plate  4.     Fig.  112. 

Description.  Shell  flat  above  and  below,  bicarinate; 
apex  rather  impressed  ;  substance  of  the  shell  very  thin  ; 
suture  linear  ;  umbilicus  wide,  perspective,  carinate  on 


124  CONTRIBUTIONS 

the  edge ;  whorls  four,  perfectly  square ;  mouth  quadran- 
gular. 
Length  l-20th,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  This  curious  and  interesting  little  species 
is  the  only  perfectly  flat  shell  I  am  acquainted  with.  The 
Pleurolomarium  tuberculosum  of  Defrance,  as  figured  by 
Blainville,  has  in  its  general  form  some  resemblance  to  it. 
Its  sinus,  its  rounded  mouth  and  somewhat  convex  spire, 
render  it  impossible  to  confound  even  the  genera. 


GENUS  PLANARIA.*    Brown.    (Madurite?  Lesueur.) 

P.  nitens.     Plate  4.     Fig.  113. 

Description.     Shell  discoidal,  impressed  above  and  below, 
smooth  and  shining,  diaphanous;  substance  of  the  shell 
very  thin  and  fragile;  whorls  three,  convex;  mouth  lunate; 
outer  lip  reflected. 
Length  less  than  l-20th,  Breadth  less  than  l-20tb,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  This  very  minute  species  is  so  fragile  that 
I  have  found  it  impossible  to  secure  a  perfect  specimen.  It 
resembles  closely  the  P.  alba  (Brown),  but  that  shell  has 
not  a  reflected  margin.  I  have  found  a  single  specimen 
only  with  this  part  perfect  enough  to  show  this  character 

*  Established  by  Capt.  Thomas  Brown  of  Edinburgh  for  some  small 
species  found  on  the  coast  of  Scotland. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  125 

of  its  aperture.  Lamarck's  description  of  Planorbis  nitidu- 
lus  gives  the  characters  of  this  shell  with  the  exception  of 
the  reflected  margin.  If  our  shell  were  fresh  water  there 
certainly  would  not  be  any  necessity  to  remove  it  from  the 
genus  Planorbis,  unless  the  reflected  margin  should  be 
considered  a  character  sufficiently  distinctive.  In  4,he 
description  of  the  Planorbis,  Lamarck  says  "  margine  nun- 
quam  reflexo." 


GENUS  TURBO.     Linnaus. 

T.naticoides.     Plate  4.     Fig.  114. 

Description.     Shell  rather  convex,  smooth  ;  substance 
of  the  shell  thick ;  suture  linear ;  umbilicus  small ;  whorls 
four  ;  mouth  very  round  ;  outer  lip  edged. 
Length  .2,  Breadth  7-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  little  species  has  somewhat  the  as- 
pect of  a  Natica.  It  seems  to  have  no  striking  character- 
istic, but  I  cannot  identify  it  with  any  described  species. 
One  of  the  specimens  is  somewhat  polished. 

T.nitens.     Plate  4.     Fig.  115. 

Description.  Shell  rather  depressed  above,  flattened  be- 
low, polished  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick  ;  suture  linear  ; 
umbilicus  rather  large  and  round ;  whorls  four ;  mouth 
suborbicular,  outer  lip  edged,  thickened  at  its  superior  junc- 
tion with  the  whorl. 

Length  3-20ths,  Breadth  5-20ths,  of  an  inch. 


126  CONTRIBUTIONS 

Observations.  Smaller  than  the  above,  this  species  has 
some  resemblance  to  it.  It  differs  in  being  a  flatter  shell, 
in  being  highly  polished,  and  in  having  the  outer  lip  thick- 
ened where  it  is  in  contact  with  the  whorl.  Immediately 
below  the  umbilicus  there  is  usually  a  slight  impression  on 
the- lip. 

T.  lineata.     Plate  4.     Fig.  116. 

Description.  Shell  rather  depressed  above,  rounded  be- 
low, nearly  covered  with  transverse  elevated  lines,  smooth 
round  the  umbilicus ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin  ;  suture 
furrowed;  umbilicus  rather  large,  round;  whorls  four; 
mouth  round ;  outer  lip  edged. 
Length  .1 ,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  This  minute  species  differs  from  the  pre- 
ceding, in  having  transverse  lines  and  a  wide  furrow 
along  the  suture.  The  whorls  are  also  more  rounded. 


The  genus  Turbo  has  been  observed  in  Great  Britain, 
as  low  down  as  the  Mountain  Limestone,  and  through 
nearly  all  the  superincumbent  strata  to  the  Crag.  Eigh- 
teen species  are  mentioned  by  Sowerby,  Phillips  and  Bran- 
der,  two  only  being  in  the  London  Clay.  M.  Deshayes's 
Tables  give  thirty-four  for  the  Tertiary,  sixteen  being  in 
the  Eocene  of  the  Paris  basin  alone.  In  this  country 
there  have  not  been  before,  that  I  am  aware  of,  any  of  the 
Turbones  noticed  in  our  formations. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  127 


GENUS  TUBA,     (nobis.) 

Description.  Shell  conical,  umbilicate  ;  whorls  round- 
ed ;  mouth  round ;  margin  not  united  above  ;  columella 
thickened  and  reflected  at  the  base. 


This  genus  is  nearly  allied  to  Turbo  and  to  the  Rissoa 
of  Freminville  ;  but  not  being  able,  with  propriety,  to 
place  it  with  either,  I  propose  to  constitute  for  it  a  new 
genus.  The  reflected  margin,  which  is  disposed  to  be 
effuse,  has  at  the  base  some  similarity  to  the  J\felanice, 
and  therefore  cannot  be  placed  in  the  genus  Turbo.  It 
'cannot  be  placed  in  the  genus  Rissoa,  being  umbilicated. 
In  eight  species  of  Rissoa9  in  my  cabinet,  all  are  thickened 
round  the  margin,  forming  a  varix.  The  Tuba  has  no 
thickening  of  this  kind,  the  margin  being  crenulate.  The 
Rissoa  has  an  acute  apex,  while  that  of  the  Tuba  is 
almost  truncate,  the  superior  whorls  being  smooth  and 
gibbous.  Mr  Sowerby's  Mineral  Conchology,  plate  395, 
figures  a  shell  (Turbo  sculptus),  which,  I  think,  should 
be  placed  in  this  genus.  It  is  from  the  London  Clay  of 
Barton.  Of  it,  and  the  preceding  one,  he  says,  they  "do 
not  agree  precisely  with  the  character  of  the  genus  Turbo 
of  Lamarck,"  and  further,  "  they  form  a  passage  towards 
Delphinula" 


128  CONTRIBUTIONS 

T.  striata.     Plate  4.     Fig.  117. 

Description.  Shell  elevated  above,  rounded  below, 
thickly  covered  with  transverse  striae  cut  by  minute  longi- 
tudinal striae ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thick ;  apex 
not  acute ;  suture  impressed ;  umbilicus  very  small ; 
whorls  six,  inflated ;  mouth  nearly  round,  striate  within, 
one-third  the  length  of  the  shell ;  outer  lip  crenate. 
Length  7-20ths,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  beautifully  ornamented  and  certainly 
very  interesting  shell.  It  is  closely  rilled  with  trans- 
verse rounded  striae,  having  the  appearance  of  cords,  the 
middle  one  of  which  is  rather  the  largest.  The  cutting 
striae  are  somewhat  imbricate.  Single  specimens  only  of 
this  and  the  two  following  species  have  come  into  my  pos- 
session. This  species  more  strongly  resembles  the  Turbo 
sculptus  of  Sowerby,  than  the  following  species  do. 

T.  alternata.     Plate  4.     Fig.  118. 

Description.  Shell  elevated  above,  rounded  below,  with 
numerous  transverse  striae,  alternately  larger  and  smaller, 
cut  by  fine  longitudinal  striae  ;  substance  of  the  shell 
rather  thick ;  apex  not  acute  ;  suture  sharply  impressed  ; 
umbilicus  small ;  whorls  six,  inflated ;  mouth  nearly 
round,  striate  within,  one  third  the  length  of  the  shell ; 
outer  lip  crenate. 

Length  .3,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  129 

Observations.  This  species  is  very  closely  allied  to  the 
above,  but  may  at  once  be  distinguished  by  the  transverse 
striae  which  alternate  in  this.  The  longitudinal  stria3  are 
not  so  close,  nor  are  they  imbricate. 

T.sukata.     Plate  4.     Fig.  119. 

Description.  Shell  elevated  above,  rounded  below, 
with  numerous  transverse  furrows,  the  two  superior  ones 
being  indistinct ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thin  ;  apex 

not    acute ;    suture  impressed ;  umbilicus  ;    whorls 

inflated;  mouth — — . 

Length  ....  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  fragment  resembles  so  closely  the 
two  species  above  described,  that  I  have  with  but  lit- 
tle hesitation  placed  it  in  the  same  genus.  It  has 
apparently  lost  only  one  whorl — seven  remain.  It  is 
rather  more  alternate  than  the  preceding,  and  differs 
entirely  in  being  furrowed,  and  having  no  longitudinal 
striee.  Some  of  the  parts  being  absent,  I  am  neces- 
sarily compelled  to  make  an  unfinished  description  and 
figure. 


GENUS  TURRITELLA.     Lamarck. 

T.  carinata.     Plate  4.     Fig.  120. 

Description.     Shell  turrited,  transversely  striate  and  ca- 
rinate  ;  apex  acute  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick ;  suture 


130  CONTRIBUTIONS 

impressed  ;  whorls  concave,  carinate  on  the  inferior  part ; 
mouth  suborbicular,  effuse. 
Length  1.3,  Breadth  9-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Fragments  of  this  species  were  obtained 
quite  large,  together  with  some  young  ones  more  perfect. 
Some  of  the  specimens  are  much  more  striate  and  carinate 
than  others.  It  resembles  in  the  superior  part  a  species 
sent  me  by  Dr  Grateloup  from  Dax,  under  the  name  of 
strangulata  (Grateloup).  In  the  mouth  it  widely  differs. 

T.  lineata.     Plate  4.     Fig.  121. 

Description.  Shell  turrited,  transversely  and  finely  line- 
ate  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin  ;  apex  acute  ;  suture  fur- 
rowed ;  whorls  convex  ;  mouth  subquadrangular. 

Length  .9,  Breadth  .4,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  finely  lined  and  pretty  species  seems 
to  be  much  less  abundant  than  the  preceding,  with  which 
it  cannot  easily  be  confounded,  the  whorls  being  convex. 


This  genus  has  been  observed  in  Great  Britain  in  nearly 
all  the  formations  from  the  Carboniferous  Limestone  to  the 
Alluvial.  Five  have  been  described  in  the  London  Clay, 
and  two  in  the  Crag.  M.  Deshayes's  Table  of  this  genus 
is  very  extensive,  giving  forty-five  species  (Tertiary). 
Seventeen  are  from  Paris,  and  nineteen  from  Italy  (Subap- 
pennines)  being  of  the  Pliocene  Period.  In  the  Cretaceous 
Group  of  New  Jersey  and  Delaware,  Dr  Morton  has  observed 


TO    GEOLOGY.  131 

casts.     Three  species  are  described  by  Say  and  Conrad 
from  the  Miocene  of  Maryland. 


FAMILY  CANALIFERA. 

GENUS  CERITHIUM1     Bruguiere. 
C.  striatum.     Plate  4.     Fig.  122. 

Description.  Shell  turrited,  transversely  and  finely  stri- 
ate  ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thin  ;  apex  acute ;  suture 
not  deeply  impressed;  whorls  about  thirteen,  rather  con- 
vex; colurnella  reflected;  mouth  subquadrangular,  effuse 
at  base. 

Length  1 .3,  B  readth  .4 ,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  The  striae  of  this  species  have  a  strong  si- 
milarity to  that  of  the  Turritella  lineata  above  described,  but 
the  sutures  are  different.  In  most  specimens  numerous  lon- 
gitudinal flexed  folds  may  be  observed. 

I  am  by  no  means  satisfied  in  placing  this  shell  among 
the  Cerithia.  It  has  a  stronger  resemblance  in  the  mouth  to 
the  genus  Melania,  but  being  a  marine  shell  cannot  with 
propriety  be  placed  in  that  genus.  Blainville  figures  a  shell 
(plate  21,  bis.  fig.  2),  under  the  name  of  Potamidesfragilis, 
which  certainly  ought  to  belong  to  the  same  genus  with  this, 
the  mouth  being  very  nearly  the  same.  Until  more  species 
shall  be  obtained,  I  have  forborne  to  create  for  it  a  new 
genus.  More  decisive  characters  may  then  be  observed, 


132  CONTRIBUTIONS 

which  will  designate  with  certainty  the  genus.  I  would 
further  remark,  that  there  have  been  no  Cerithia  yet  found 
in  the  beds  of  this  locality,  although  they  abound  in  Eng- 
land, and  on  the  continent,  in  the  Tertiary,  from  which  for- 
mation M.  Deshayes  gives  two  hundred  and  twenty  species. 
In  the  Paris  basin  alone  there  are  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
seven  species.  That  there  should  not  yet  have  been  a 
single  true  Cerithium  observed  in  the  bed  at  Claiborne  is 
certainly  a  curious  and  interesting  fact. 


GENUS  PLEUROTOMA.     Lamarck. 

P.  calata.     Plate  4.     Fig.  123. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  turrited,  carinate,  longitu- 
dinally folded,  covered  transversely  with  minute  striae; 
substance  of  the  shell  thick ;  apex  acute ;  whorls  eight, 
subcanaliculate  above;  mouth  narrow,  nearly  half  the 
length  of  the  shell. 

Length  .8,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  is  remarkable  for  its  fine 
transverse  striae,  which  resemble  the  finest  engraving. 

P.  Lonsdalii*     Plate  4.     Fig.  124. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  turrited,  longitudinally 
folded,  transversely  and  faintly  striate,  substance  of  the 

*  Named  after  the  intelligent  and  efficient  curator  of  the  Geological 
Society  of  London. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  133 

shell  thin ;  spire  elevated  and  acute  at  apex ;  whorls  ten, 
with  an  elevated  band  below  the  suture;  mouth  rather 
narrow,  about  one  third  the  length  of  the  shell. 

Length  .5,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  pretty  little  species,  and  may  be  distin- 
guished by  its  elevated  spire,  and  the  band  which  surrounds 
the  whorls  below  the  suture. 

P.  Sayi*     Plate  4.     Fig.  125. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  turrited,  longitudinally  and 
thickly  folded,  transversely  and  strongly  striate ;  substance 
of  the  shell  rather  thin ;  spire  elevated,  pointed  at  the  apex ; 
whorls  eight,  subcanaliculate  above;  mouth  rather  narrow, 
about  one  third  the  length  of  the  shell. 

Length  .5,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  very  closely  resembles  the 
last  described,  but  may  be  distinguished  by  its  more 
numerous  folds  and  stronger  striae,  which  are  disposed  to 
be  larger  and  smaller  alternately.  It  has  a  strong  resem- 
blance to  the  _species  figured  by  Sowerby  under  the  name 
of  P.  comma,  f 

P.  monilifera.     Plate  4.     Fig.  126. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  turrited,  transversely  stri- 
ate, furnished  with  a  larger  and  smaller  row  of  tuber- 

*  Named  after  the  distinguished  naturalist  Thomas  Say. 
t  Min.  Conch,  plate  146,  fig.  5. 


134  CONTRIBUTIONS 

cles ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin ;  spire  elevated,  pointed  at 
the  apex;  whorls  nine;  mouth  two  fifths  the  length  of  the 
shell. 
Length  .6,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  differs  from  the  last  described, 
in  having  a  double  row  of  tubercles,  and  in  the  mouth 
being  rather  longer.  It  has  a  very  close  resemblance  to 
the  P.  semicolon  (Sowerby).* 

P.  Baumontii.-\     Plate  4.     Fig.  127. 

Description.  Shell  ovately  fusiform,  transversely  striate, 
furnished  with  a  single  row  of  compressed  tubercles  near 
the  middle  of  the  whorl;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thin  ; 
apex  pointed ;  whorls  eight,  subcanaliculate  above ;  mouth 
nearly  one  half  the  length  of  the  shell. 
Length  .6,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  beautiful  little  species,  differing  some- 
what in  its  form  from  those  above  described,  as  well  as  in 
the  tubercles  and  striae.  The  tubercles  are  compressed,  and 
adorn  the  wider  portion  of  the  whorl.  The  striae  are  wide 
apart,  and  below  the  line  of  tubercles  these  are,  for  four 
or  five  rows,  alternately,  smaller.  In  the  canal  above  the 
tubercles,  flexuous  folds  of  the  form  of  the  sinus  are  visibly 
and  closely  set. 

*  Min.  Conch,  plate  146,  fig.  6. 

t  Named  after  the  distinguished  geologist  Elie  de  Baumont. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  135 


P.  Desnoyersii*     Plate  4.     Fig.  128. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  turrited,  closely  and  trans- 
versely striate,  slightly  tuberculate  on  the  superior  whorls  ; 
substance  of  the  shell  rather  thick ;  spire  elevated,  pointed 
at  the  apex  ;  whorls  eight ;  mouth  two  fifths  the  length  of 
the  shell. 

Length  .7,  Breadth  5-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  In  outline  somewhat  like  the  last  de- 
scribed, but  differing  in  the  striae  and  tubercles.  In  the 
Desnoyersii  the  transverse  striae  are  disposed  to  alternate, 
and  are  cut  by  almost  imperceptible  longitudinal  stria3. 

P.  Hceninghausii.-\     Plate  4.     Fig.  129. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  turrited,  transversely  striate, 
furnished  with  two  rows  of  longitudinal  folds  in  zig-zag ; 
substance  of  the  shell  rather  thin ;  spire  elevated,  acute  at 
apex;  whorls  ten,  subcanaliculate  above  ;  mouth  rather 
narrow,  about  one  third  the  length  of  the  shell. 
Length  .7,  Breadth  .4,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  may  be  distinguished  by  its 
double  row  of  folds,  which  being  placed,  the  superior  one 
obliquely  to  the  right,  the  other  to  the  left,  produce  a  zig- 
zag appearance. 

*  Named  after  M.  Desnoyers,  advantageously  known  for  his  labours  in 
the  Tertiary  deposites. 
t  Named  after  the  distinguished  geologist  of  Crefeld. 


136  CONTRIBUTIONS 


P.  rugosa.     Plate  4.     Fig.  130. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  turrited,  transversely  and 
widely  striate  on  the  inferior  part,  furnished  with  one  row 
of  folds  and  one  of  granulations  ;  substance  of  the  shell 
rather  thin ;  suture  sulcate ;  spire  elevated,  acute  at  apex ; 
whorls  twelve  ;  mouth  narrow,  one  third  the  length  of  the 
shell. 

Length  .8,  Breadth  5-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  The  folds  and  granulations  of  this  species 
give  it  a  rougher  appearance  than  the  others  described 
here.  The  furrow  along  the  suture  is  marked,  being 
formed  by  the  two  superior  transverse  large  striee.  On 
the  superior  part  of  the  whorl,  there  are  in  some  speci- 
mens minute  transverse  striae. 

P.  obliqua.     Plate  4.     Fig.  131. 

Description.  Shell  transversely  and  alternately  striate 
below,  canaliculate  above,  furnished  with  a  row  of  oblique 
folds  on  the  wider  part  of  the  whorl ;  substance  of  the 
shell  rather  thick;  whorl  subcanaliculate  above  ;  mouth 
long  and  narrow. 

Length  ....  Breadth  .4,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  single  whorl  only,  being  the  inferior 
one,  has  come  under  my  notice.  It  is  perhaps  the  largest 
species  here  described.  The  description  is  of  course  de- 
fective, for  want  of  the  superior  whorls.  I  have  no  hesita- 


TO  GEOLOGY.  137 

tion,  however,  from  what  remains,  to  consider  it  distinct ; 
the  folds,  the  striae  and  general  form  differing  from  any  of 
the  species  here  described. 

P.  Childreni.*     Plate  4.     Fig.  132. 

Description .  Shell  fusiform,  turrited,  transversely  striate, 
granulate  on  the  larger  part  of  the  whorl ;  substance  of 
the  shell  rather  thick ;  spire  elevated,  obtuse  at  apex ; 
whorls  about  nine,  subcanaliculate  above ;  mouth  long 
and  narrow,  one  third  the  length  of  the  shell. 
Length  .9,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  is  a  beautiful  species,  distinct  by  its 
granulations,  the  row  of  which  is  disposed  to  be  double. 
About  the  middle  of  the  whorl  the  striae  are  large.  On 
the  superior  part  there  are  two  or  three  minute  ones. 

P.  Lesueurii.-\    Plate  4.     Fig.  133. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  turrited,  covered  with 
closely  set  transverse  striae,  which  are  cut  by  indistinct 
longitudinal  ones ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thick ; 
spire  elevated,  acute  at  apex  ;  whorls  about  nine,  subcan- 
aliculate above ;  mouth  long  and  narrow,  about  two  fifths 
the  length  of  the  shell. 

Length  1.1,  Breadth  .4,  of  an  inch. 

*  Named  after  the  secretary  of  the  Royal  Society,  eminent  for  his 
acquirements  in  science, 
t  Named  after  the  naturalist  M.  Lesueur,  the  companion  of  Peron. 

S 


138  CONTRIBUTIONS 

Observations.  This  species  is  more  completely  covered 
with  striae  than  any  other  here  described.  On  the  superior 
part  of  the  shell  very  minute  folds  may  in  some  specimens 
be  observed. 


This  beautiful  genus  exists  in  great  numbers  in  a  fossil 
state  in  the  superior  beds,  but  has  not,  I  believe,  either  in 
this  country  or  in  Europe,  been  observed  below  the  Ter- 
tiary. Sowerby  describes  eleven  from  the  London  Clay, 
it  being  found  in  England  only  in  that  formation.  M. 
Deshayes  mentions  one  hundred  and  fifty-six  as  existing 
in  the  Tertiary  of  Europe.  Forty-one  are  from  the  Paris 
basin  and  thirty-three  from  the  Subappennines.  In  this 
country  Mr  Conrad  is,  I  believe,  the  only  geologist  who 
has  noticed  the  genus.  At  St  Mary's,  Maryland,  he  dis- 
covered seven  species,  which  are  described  by  him  in  the 
Journal  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences,  vol.  6,  p.  223. 
Neither  of  these  is  the  analogue  of  those  above  described. 


GENUS  CANCELLARIA.     Lamarck. 

C.  babylonica.     Plate  5.     Fig.  134. 

Description.  Shell  turrited,  inflated,  smooth,  substance 
of  the  shell  thin ;  whorls  six,  angular,  broad  and  flat  at  the 
top,  and  furnished  on  the  angle  with  irregular  erect  spinous 
tubes ;  umbilicus  wide,  armed  with  points  ;  mouth  trian- 
gular, two  fifths  of  the  length  of  the  shell ;  columella  with 
two  indistinct  folds ;  outer  lip  sharp. 
Length  .5,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  139 

Observations.  A  single  specimen  only  of  this  beautiful 
species  has  come  into  my  possession.  It  is  very  distinct 
from  any  species  I  know,  and  is  eminently  distinguished 
by  the  flatness  of  the  superior  part  of  its  whorls  and  the 
spinous  tubes  placed  along  the  angle.  The  wide  umbili- 
cus and  armature  of  points  are  very  characteristic. 

C.  multiplicata.     Plate  5.     Fig.  135. 

Description.  Shell  turrited,  somewhat  inflated,  with 
numerous  rather  oblique  folds  cut  by  transverse  striae ; 

substance  of  the  shell  rather  thick  ;  whorls ,  angular, 

flat  at  the  top ;  umbilicus  very  small ;  mouth  ovate ; 
columella  with  two  folds  ;  outer  lip  very  much  thickened, 
edged,  crenate  within. 

Length Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Unfortunately,  I  obtained  but  little  more 
than  the  lower  whorl  of  this  species.  This,  however,  is 
perfect,  and  displays  distinct  characters.  The  thickness 
of  the  outer  lip  is  very  remarkable,  forming  a  large 
varix. 

C.  plicata.     Plate  5.     Fig.  136. 

Description.  Shell  turrited,  subventricose,  with  numer- 
ous large  longitudinal  folds  on  the  three  last  whorls  cut  by 
minute  transverse  striae ;  whorls  six,  angular  at  the  top  ; 
umbilicus  very  small ;  mouth  subovate  ;  columella  with 
two  folds. 

Length  .4,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 


140  CONTRIBUTIONS 

Observations.  This  is  a  very  distinct  and  beautiful 
species.  Its  large  folds,  together  with  the  flatness  of  the 
superior  part  of  the  whorls,  amply  distinguish  it.  The 
only  specimen  I  have  seen  is  the  one  now  described,  and 
judging  from  the  absence  of  folds  on  the  first  whorls  and 
the  sharpness  of  the  outer  lip,  it  may  prove  to  be  rather  a 
young  individual. 

C.  sculptura.     Plate  5.     Fig.  137. 

Description.  Shell  subturrited,  folded  longitudinally 
and  transversely  set  with  numerous  elevated  lines ;  spire 
elevated,  pointed  ;  whorls  six,  subangular  at  the  top  ;  um- 
bilicus very  small ;  mouth  subovate,  columella  with  two 
indistinct  folds ;  outer  lip  dentate  within  and  furnished 
with  a  varix. 

Length  .4,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  I  have  seen  but  one  perfect  specimen  of 
this  species.  A  second  one  has  been  despoiled  of  its  varix. 
It  is  distinguished  from  the  plicata,  which  it  resembles,  in 
the  spire  being  more  elevated,  as  well  as  in  the  folds  being 
closer.  The  transverse  lines  cutting  the  folds,  give  it  the 
appearance  of  being  reticulated.  Between  the  folds  very 
minute  longitudinal  striae  may  be  perceived  under  the  lens. 

C.  tessellata.     Plate  5.     Fig.  138. 

Description.  Shell  turrited,  with  longitudinal  large  ribs 
cut  by  transverse  striae  which  are  enlarged  at  the  junc- 
tion; substance  of  the  shell  thin  ;  whorls ,  subangular, 


TO  GEOLOGY.  141 

somewhat  flattened  at  the  top ;  umbilicus  none  ;  mouth 
ovate  ;  columella  with  three  folds. 

Length  ....  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  single  imperfect  specimen  only  having 
come  into  my  possession,  I  am  unable  to  give  a  full  descrip- 
tion of  it.  The  spire  and  outer  lip  are  both  removed.  Its 
folds  are  rather  larger  than  those  described  above,  and  it 
differs  in  having  three  folds  on  the  columella. 

C.  elevata.     Plate  5.     Fig.  139. 

Description.  Shell  elevated,  turrited,  cancellate ;  sub- 
stance of  the  shell  rather  thin  ;  whorls  seven,  convex ; 
suture  impressed ;  umbilicus  none ;  mouth  ovate,  one 
third  the  length  of  the  shell ;  columella  with  two  folds  ; 
outer  lip  striate  within. 

Length  9-20ths,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  pretty  little  species  is  remarkably 
elevated  in  the  spire  and  beautifully  cancellate.  A  single 
specimen  only  was  obtained,  the  outer  lip  of  which  is 
broken.  It  may  be  easily  distinguished  by  its  elevated 
spire  and  cancellate  exterior. 

C.  costata.     Plate  5.     Fig.  140. 

Description.  Shell  rather  elevated,  turrited,  with  large, 
sharp,  longitudinal  ribs ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thin ; 
whorls  five,  subangular  and  somewhat  flattened  at  the 
top  ;  umbilicus  none  ;  mouth  ovate,  rather  narrow,  about 


142  CONTRIBUTIONS 

one  third  the  length  of  the  shell;  columella  with  two 
folds. 

Length  5-20ths,  Breadth  .1 ,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  The  strongly  characterised  longitudinal 
ribs  of  this  species  eminently  distinguish  it.  At  the  base 
there  are  a  few  indistinct  transverse  striae,  but  the  larger 
part  of  the  whorl  is  entirely  free  from  them.  Among  those 
here  described,  this  is  the  only  one  with  this  character. 

C.  parva.     Plate  5.     Fig.  141. 

Description.  Shell  somewhat  elevated,  turrited,  with 
large  longitudinal  folds  cut  by  large  elevated  transverse 
striae,  spire  elevated,  obtuse  at  the  apex;  suture  deeply 
impressed ;  whorls  five,  convex ;  umbilicus  very  small ; 
mouth  semilunate ;  columella  furnished  with  two  large 
folds ;  outer  lip  sharp,  within  crenulate. 
Length  .2,  Breadth  .1,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  truly  beautiful  little  species  is  very 
distinct  from  either  of  the  others  here  described.  It  may 
be  at  once  known  by  its  strong  folds  on  the  columella, 
and  its  large  longitudinal  folds  and  strong  transverse  striae. 


The  genus  Cancellaria  has  been  observed  in  England 
only  in  the  London  Clay,  from  whence  three  species  have 
been  described.*  M.  Deshayes's  Tables  give  forty-two 

*  Min.  Conch,  pi.  360  and  361. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  143 

species  from  the  Tertiary.  Sixteen  are  from  the  Subappen- 
nines  (Pliocene),  twelve  from  Bourdeaux  (Miocene),  and 
five  from  Paris  (Eocene).  In  this  country  a  single  species 
only,  C.  lunata  (Conrad),  has  been  heretofore  observed. 
It  is  from  the  Tertiary  Beds  of  St  Mary's. 


GENUS  FASCIOLARIA.     Lamarck. 

F.  plicata.     Plate  5.     Fig.  142. 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform,  turrited,  largely  and 
longitudinally  folded,  transversely  and  alternately  striate  ; 
suture  irregularly  impressed  ;  whorls  eight,  convex  ;  colu- 
mella  with  two  small  folds ;  canal  short,  reflected ;  mouth 
ovate,  two  fifths  the  length  of  the  shell ;  outer  lip  sharp, 
within  striate. 

Length  .7,  Breadth  7-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  very  pretty  species,  remarkable  for  its 
large  folds  and  well  marked  transverse  striae,  which  are 
alternately  larger  and  smaller.  The  striae  within  are 
strongly  marked. 

F.  elevata.     Plate  5.     Fig.  143. 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform,  turrited,  transversely 
striate  on  the  inferior  part  of  the  last  whorl ;  suture  linear ; 

whorls ,  slightly  convex,  truncate  along  the  suture  ; 

columella  with  three  or  four  indistinct  folds  ;  canal  short, 
slightly  reflected ;  mouth  ovate ;  outer  lip  sharp,  within 
crenate. 

Length  ....  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 


144  CONTRIBUTIONS 

Observations.  This  species  differs  very  much  from  the 
last  described.  It  is  more  elevated,  without  folds,  has  a 
smaller  mouth,  and  is  striate  only  on  the  lower  part  of  the 
whorl.  A  single  individual  only  was  obtained,  the  apex 
of  which  is  broken. 


No  species  of  Fasciolaria  seem  to  have  been  observed 
in  a  fossil  state  in  Great  Britain.  M.  Deshayes  in  his 
Tables  gives  five  species,  three  of  which  are  from  Dax 
(Miocene).  In  the  United  States  none  have,  I  believe, 
been  noticed.  The  Valuta  Lamberti  of  Sowerby,  has  been 
obtained  by  Mr  Conrad,  at  St  Mary's,  Maryland.  Mr  C. 
considers  it  a  Fasciolaria.* 


GENUS  FUSUS.     Lamarck. 

F.pulcher.     Plate  5.     Fig.  144. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  turrited,  furnished  with 
wide  longitudinal  folds  cut  by  transverse  strongly  marked 
striae ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thick ;  suture  im- 
pressed ;  whorls  ,  convex ;  canal  long,  straight ; 

mouth  ovate  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 

Length Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  single  individual  only,  and  that  with  a 
fractured  spire,  has  come  under  my  notice.  The  two  lower 
whorls  and  the  canal  are  perfect.  It  is  a  beautiful  species 

*  See  note  to  observations  on  the  genus  Mitra. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  145 

and  very  distinct  from  any  other  herein  described.  Five 
or  six  of  the  striae  on  the  widest  part  of  the  whorl  have 
between  each  of  them  a  very  minute  stria. 

F.  Mortonii*     Plate  5.     Fig.  145. 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform,  furnished  with  large 
longitudinal  folds,  cut  by  transverse  striae  which  are  en- 
larged on  the  folds ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thin  ; 
whorls  six,  inflated,  flattened  at  top,  subspinous  on  the 
angle  ;  canal  long  and  straight ;  mouth  subrotund  ;  outer 
lip  sharp,  within  slightly  crenate. 

Length  .7,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  very  distinct  species,  and  remarkable 
for  its  strong  folds  covered  by  transverse  striae,  which  are 
so  much  enlarged  on  the  folds  as  to  give  it  a  tuberculated 
appearance.  On  the  angle  of  the  whorl  the  superior 
stria  is  so  much  enlarged  as  to  make  the  angle  subspinous 
in  perfect  specimens — above  it  is  without  striae. 

jP.  decussatus.     Plate  5.     Fig.  146. 

Description.  Shell  subtuibinate,  cancellate,  furnished 
with  seven  or  eight  large  transverse  striae,  cut  by  numer- 
ous longitudinal  small  striae  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin  ; 
suture  deeply  grooved  ;  whorls  six,  inflated,  biangular  in 

*  To  this  species  I  have  placed  the  name  of  the  corresponding  secre- 
tary of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia,  Dr  Morton, 
who  has  done  much  to  promote  a  knowledge  of  our  geology. 
T 


146  CONTRIBUTIONS 

the  middle  ;  canal  rather  long  and  flexed ;  outer  lip  sub- 
crenate,  within  sulcate. 
Length  .6,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  is  a  beautiful  little  species,  rough- 
ened nearly  all  over  by  decussate  striae.  On  the  large 
transverse  striae  there  is  a  series  of  small  nodules  at  the 
point  of  section. 

F.  bicarinatus.     Plate  5.     Fig.  147. 

Description.  Shell  subturbinate,  minutely  and  trans- 
versely striate,  longitudinally  and  minutely  folded  above  ; 
substance  of  the  shell  rather  thick  ;  suture  linear ;  whorls 

,  rather  inflated,  bicarinate  in  the  middle  ;   canal 

rather  long  and  straight ;  outer  lip  striate  within. 
Length  .5,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  The  lower  part  of  a  single  individual  of 
this  species  only  has  come  under  my  notice.  It  is  distinct 
from  any  other  herein  described.  Its  minute  folds  may 
be  seen  round  the  largest  part  of  the  whorls. 

F.  venustus.     Plate  5.     Fig.  148. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  furnished  with  large  lon- 
gitudinal folds  cut  by  small  transverse  striae ;  substance  of 
the  shell  rather  thin ;  spire  elevated  and  acute  at  the 
apex ;  whorls  six,  convex ;  canal  rather  short ;  mouth 
narrow,  one  half  the  length  of  the  shell ;  outer  lip  sharp. 

Length  .4,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  147 

Observations.  This  beautiful  little  species  is  more  slen- 
der than  any  here  described,  and  its  mouth  is  more  con- 
tracted. The  longitudinal  folds  being  smaller  on  the 
superior  whorls,  and  the  striae  being  there  rather  large, 
cause  these  whorls  to  be  cancellate. 


F.  crebissimus.    Plate  5.     Fig.  149. 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform,  furnished  with  longitu- 
dinal folds  cut  by  rather  rough,  very  closely  set  transverse 
striae ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick  ;  spire  rather  elevated  ; 
whorls  seven,  convex ;  canal  rather  short ;  mouth  sub- 
rotund  ;  outer  lip  finely  crenate,  within  dentate. 

Length  .5,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  is  remarkable  for  its  trans- 
verse striae,  which  are  very  closely  set  over  the  whole  body 
of  the  shell.  In  some  specimens  these  striae  are  somewhat 
rough,  and  present  a  slightly  imbricate  appearance. 

F.  magnocostatus.     Plate  5.     Fig.  150, 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform,  furnished  with  large 
longitudinal  folds,  cut  by  transverse  rather  large  striae ; 
substance  of  the  shell  rather  thick ;  spire  somewhat 
elevated,  acute  at  apex ;  whorls  six,  convex  ;  canal  short, 
oblique ;  mouth  subrotund  ;  outer  lip  slightly  crenate, 
within  dentate. 

Length  .4,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.     This  species  closely  resembles  the  last 


148  CONTRIBUTIONS 

described,  but  may  be  distinguished  by  its  larger  folds  and 
the  transverse  striae,  which,  though  numerous  over  the 
whole  shell,  are  not  so  closely  set.  In  some  specimens 
on  the  folds  there  is  a  slight  imbricate  appearance. 

F.  Delabechii*     Plate  5.     Fig.  151. 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform,  furnished  with  rather 
sharp  longitudinal  folds  cut  by  imbricate  transverse  striae  ; 
substance  of  the  shell  thick ;  spire  somewhat  elevated,  acute 
at  apex ;  whorls  seven,  subangular ;  canal  short,  flexed  ; 
mouth  subangular  ;  outer  lip  crenate,  within  striate. 

Length  13-20ths,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  in  many  of  its  characters 
resembles  the  two  last  described.  It  may  be  known, 
however,  by  its  imbricate  stria3  and  obtuse  angle  on  the 
superior  part  of  the  whorl  where  the  folds  are  somewhat 
pointed.  A  single  perfect  and  mature  specimen  only  has 
been  observed  by  me. 

F.  ornatus.     Plate  5.     Fig.  152. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  furnished  with  rather 
oblique  folds  on  the  middle  of  the  whorls,  transversely, 
very  minutely  and  alternately  striate ;  substance  of  the 
shell  thin  ;  spire  rather  elevated,  pointed ;  whorls  seven, 
subangular  ;  canal  rather  short,  obliquely  curved  ;  mouth 
subangular  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 
Length  .6,  Breadth  5-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

*  Named  after  the  distinguished  author  of  the  "  Geological  Manual," 
"  Tabular  View,"  &c.,  De  la  Beche. 


TO    GEOLOGY.  149 

Observations.  This  beautiful  species  differs  from  those 
above  described,  in  having  shorter  folds  and  in  being 
covered  with  minute  striae,  which  are  alternately  larger 
and  smaller,  and  resemble  the  finest  lines  of  the  graver. 

F.  acutus.     Plate  5.     Fig.  153. 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform,  furnished  with  large 
longitudinal  folds  on  the  middle  of  the  whorl,  closely 
covered  with  transverse  alternate  striae  ;  substance  of  the 
shell  thin ;  spire  rather  elevated,  acutely  pointed  ;  whorls 
seven,  subangular ;  canal  rather  short,  much  curved ; 
mouth  subrotund  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 

Length  .6,  Breadth  5-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  In  general  outline  it  resembles  the  last 
described,  but  may  be  distinguished  at  once  by  the  trans- 
verse striae,  which  in  this  are  not  so  fine.  The  canal  is 
much  more  curved. 

F.  Conybearii.*     Plate  5.     Fig.  154. 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform,  furnished  with  longitu- 
dinal folds  cut  by  rather  large  transverse  striae  ;  substance 
of  the  shell  rather  thick ;  spire  somewhat  elevated,  point- 
ed ;  whorls  six  ;  canal  rather  short,  oblique  ;  mouth  sub- 
.  ovate  ;  outer  lip  thickened,  within  crenate. 

Length  .4,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.     This  species  resembles  the  two  last.     It 

*  Named  after  one  of  the  distinguished  authors  of  the  "  Outlines  of 
the  Geology  of  England  and  Wales,"  the  Rev.  Mr  Conybeare. 


150  CONTRIBUTIONS 

is  a  smaller  shell  and  differs  in  having  broader  striae  and  a 
shorter  and  oblique  canal. 

F.  nanus.     Plate  5.     Fig.  155. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  transversely  striate  below 
the  middle  of  the  whorl;  substance  of  the  shell  very 

thin ;  spire ;  whorls  ,  subangular  ;  canal  short, 

obliquely  curved ;  mouth  contracted  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 
Length  3-20ths,  Breadth  l-20th,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  single  fractured  individual  only  of  this 
species  has  come  under  my  view.  It  differs  much  from 
any  of  the  above  described.  It  is  very  minute — has  no 
folds,  and  the  striae  do  not  exist  on  the  superior  part  of  the 
whorl.  The  superior  stria  being  the  largest  makes  the 
whorl  subangular  there. 

F.  Fittonii*     Plate  5.     Fig.  156. 

Description.  Shell  ovately  fusiform,  subturbinate,  granu- 
late on  the  superior  whorls ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather 
thick;  spire  somewhat  elevated,  acute  at  the  apex;  whorls 
six,  flattened  above,  subangular ;  canal  short,  twisted ; 
mouth  ovate  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 

Length  ....  Breadth  .4,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.     This  species  strongly  resembles  the  F. 


*  I  place  with  great  pleasure  the  name  of  a  distinguished  geologist  to 
this  species. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  151 

ficulneus*  (Lamarck),  but  differs  in  having  no  fold  on  the 
columella  and  being  without  those  on  the  whorls.  The 
superior  whorls  of  the  Fittonii  are  disposed  to  be  biangular, 
which  character  is  lost  on  the  last  whorls,  the  superior  part 
of  which  is  disposed  to  be  canaliculate. 

F.  parvus.     Plate  5.     Fig.  157. 

Description.  Shell  ovately  fusiform,  smooth,  somewhat 
elevated  in  the  spire  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick  ;  spire 
rather  elevated  and  pointed  at  the  apex ;  suture  linear ; 
whorls  six,  above  slightly  convex;  columella  twisted; 
canal  short,  oblique  ;  mouth  lunate. 
Length  .4,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  single  individual  only  of  this  species 
and  that  not  entirely  perfect,  has  come  under  my  notice. 
It  forms  a  natural  link  between  the  last  described  and  that 
which  follows.  The  spire  is  more  elevated  than  the 
Fittonii,  and  it  differs  in  not  having  granulations,  as  it 
dose  also  in  the  columella. 

F.  minor.     Plate  5.     Fig.  158. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  smooth,  elevated  in  the 
spire ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thin  ;  spire  elevated 
and  pointed  at  the  apex  ;  suture  linear  ;  whorls  six,  very 

*  Murex  turgidus,  Brander,  plate  4,  fig.  51.  Fusus  ficulneus,  Sowerby, 
Min.  Conch,  plate  291. 


152  CONTRIBUTIONS 

slightly  convex,  with  an  indistinct  minute  furrow  below 
the  suture  ;  columella  twisted,  with  a  single  fold  ;  canal 
short,  oblique  ;  mouth  subovate. 
Length  .3,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Of  this  little  species  I  have  received  but 
a  single  individual.  It  is  more  elongate  than  that  last 
described,  and,  though  much  like  it,  is  specifically  distinct. 
The  three  last  described  differ  so  much  in  general  cha- 
racter from  the  type  of  the  genus,  that  I  have  not  without 
much  hesitation  placed  them  here.  The  genus  Pyrula 
seems  to  have  equal  claims  for  them,  and  the  example  of 
Lamarck,  followed  by  Sowerby,  alone  made  me  conclude 
to  do  so.  The  Fusus  jkulneus  of  these  authors  is  one  of 
this  group.  Like  it  the  minor  has  a  fold  on  the  columella, 
which  has  not  deterred  Lamarck  from  placing  theficulneus 
among  the  Fusi,  although  he  says  in  his  generic  descrip- 
tion, "  columella  fcevis." 

F.  Taitii*     Plate  5.     Fig.  159. 

Description.  Shell  turbinate,  ventricose,  armed  with 
two  rows  of  spines,  transversely  sulcate  on  the  inferior 
part ;  substance  of  the  shell  very  thick  ;  suture  irregular  ; 
spire  obtuse,  armed  with  nodulous  spines ;  whorls  five, 
somewhat  canaliculate  above ;  canal  short,  oblique  ;  mouth 
subrotund  ;  outer  lip  sharp,  with  a  sinus  at  each  spine. 
Length  Q  inches,  Breadth  1.3,  of  an  inch. 

*  It  is  with  peculiar  gratification  I  place  the  name  of  my  friend  Judge 
Tait,  to  whose  kindness  I  am  so  greatly  indebted,  to  this  fine  species. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  153 

Observations.  It  is  with  much  hesitation  I  have  con- 
cluded to  place  this  curious  and  truly  interesting  species 
with  the  Fusi.  It  has  some  of  the  generic  characters  of 
the  Pyrula,  Murex,  and  I  think  Monoceres ;  for,  if  I  mis- 
take not,  the  furrow  immediately  below  the  last  row  of 
spines,  in  perfect  specimens,  will  be  found  to  throw  out  a 
process  very  like  to  that  of  the  genus  last  mentioned.  I 
am  induced  to  place  it  here  from  the  example  of  Lam- 
arck's Fusus  minax,  (Murex  minax,  Brander).  Our  shell 
has  a  striking  similarity  to  that  species,  and  should  stand 
next  to  it  wherever  it  may  be  placed.  It  is  rather  more 
turbinated  and  has  a  thicker  columella.  It  is  placed  at 
the  last  of  the  Fusi,  having  a  shorter  and  more  oblique 
canal  than  those  above  described. 


Of  this  widely  spread  genus  fifteen  species  have  been 
observed  in  England,  by  Sowerby,  and  one  by  Konig. 
Fourteen  are  in  the  London  Clay,  and  two  in  the  Crag.* 
M.  Deshayes  in  his  Tertiary  Tables  gives  one  hundred 
and  eleven  species.  Forty-two  of  these  are  from  the  Paris 
basin,  and  he  gives  eight  to  the  English  Crag.  M.  Brog- 
niartf  observed  in  the  Formations  of  Vicentin  five  species. 

In  this  country  Mr  Say  has  described  two  species  from 
the  Tertiary  of  Maryland,  the  quadricostatus  and  cinereus. 
Mr  Conrad  discovered  at  St  Mary's  a  new  species,  which 
he  described  under  the  name  of  errans,  but  that  name 
being  preoccupied,  he  subsequently  changed  it  to  rusticus. 

*  Mineral  Conch.  t  Terrains  du  Vicentin,  p,  72, 

U 


154  CONTRIBUTIONS 

More  recently  the  same  author  has  described  six  new 
species  from  the  Tertiary  of  Maryland  and  Virginia.* 


GENUS  PYRULA.     Lamarck. 

P.  cancellata.     Plate  5.     Fig.  160. 

Description.  Shell  subpyriform,  beautifully  cancellate 
over  the  whole  exterior ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick  ; 
spire  rather  elevated,  pointed ;  suture  small,  slightly 
thickened  above ;  whorls  six,  angular  above ;  canal  rather 
short  and  wide  ;  mouth  subovate,  rather  contracted  ;  outer 
lip  thickened,  with  the  edge  bevelled. 

Length  1.4,  Breadth  .7,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Unfortunately  but  a  single  specimen  of 
this  truly  beautiful  shell  has  come  into  my  possession. 
It  is  perfect  and  presents  very  remarkable  decussating 
striae,  which  are  so  regularly  placed  as  to  present  the  ap- 
pearance of  meshes,  the  point  of  section  being  enlarged. 
This  enlargement  causes  the  angle  of  the  whorls  to  be 
somewhat  granulate.  It  seems  from  Sowerby's  figuref 
to  resemble  pretty  closely  the  Pyrula  nexilis\  (Lamarck), 
(Murex  nexilis  of  Brander§).  The  spire  is,  however,  more 
elevated,  the  canal  shorter  and  the  superior  part  of  the 
whorl  angular.  The  Pyrula  Greenwoodii,  figured  by  Sow- 
erby,  plate  498,  has  some  characters  resembling  our  species, 
but  is  specifically  different. 

*  Fossil  Shells  of  Ter.  For.,  p.  17         t  Min.  Conch,  pi.  331. 
t  Ani.  Sans.  Ver.  vol.  7,  p.  572.  §  Hamp.  Fos.  p.  4,  fig.  55. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  155 


P.  elegantissima.     Plate  5.     Fig.  161. 

Description.  Shell  subpyriform,  alternate,  beautifully 
cancellate  over  the  whole  exterior ;  substance  of  the  shell 
rather  thin  ;  spire  rather  elevated,  pointed  ;  suture  small ; 
whorls  five,  convex ;  canal  rather  long  ;  mouth  subovate, 

contracted  ;  outer  lip . 

Length  .6,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  One  nearly  perfect,  and  several  fractured 
specimens  of  this  very  beautiful  species  only  have  come 
under  my  notice.  Its  delicate  and  graceful  form  and 
highly  adorned  exterior  render  it  very  remarkable.  It  is 
closely  allied  to  the  preceding  species,  but  differs  in  having 
a  longer  canal,  in  the  absence  of  the  angle  on  the  su- 
perior part  of  the  whorl,  and  in  being  a  much  smaller  and 
thinner  shell.  In  some  of  these  characters  it  has  a  stronger 
resemblance  to  the  Pyrulanexilis  (Lamarck).  Like  it,  it  is 
without  the  angle.  Its  being  more  attenuate  and  having 
a  higher  spire  makes  it  specifically  different.  The  reticu- 
lation is,  if  possible,  more  perfect  and  beautiful  than  on  the 
cancellata. 

P.  Smithii*     Plate  5.     Fig.  162. 

Description.  Shell  pyriform,  smooth,  ventricose,  canali- 
culate on  the  widest  part ;  substance  of  the  shell  very 

*  I  have  placed  to  this  species  a  name  which  will  not  soon  be  forgot- 
ten to  British  geologists.  The  veteran  geologist  William  Smith,  was 
almost  a  solitary  labourer  for  many  years  in  the  field,  and  to  him  very 
much  is  due  for  the  present  advanced  state  of  the  science  of  geology  in 


156  CONTRIBUTIONS 

thick  ;  spire  slightly  produced ;   suture  small,  irregular  ; 
whorls    five,   irregularly   canaliculate ;    columella  much 
thickened ;  canal  short ;  emarginate  ;  mouth  ovate ;  outer 
lip  sharp. 
Length  1.6,  Breadth  .1,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  in  its  outline  most  resembles 
P.  bezoar  (Lamarck).  In  its  minor  characters  it  is,  how- 
ever, very  different,  being  smooth.  On  that  part  of  the 
whorl  which  is  usually  occupied  by  an  angle,  the  angle 
is  replaced  by  a  slightly  impressed  furrow,  and  in  most  spe- 
cimens there  are  indistinct  ones  above  and  below  this. 
The  seat  of  the  umbilicus  is  rather  impressed,  and  sur- 
rounded by  an  oblique  welt  terminating  at  the  emargina- 
tion.  The  superior  part  of  the  columella  is  very  much 
thickened,  and  a  small  channel  separates  it  there  from 
the  lip. 

Four  species  of  this  genus  have  been  observed  in  the 
London  Clay  of  England,  and  none  above  or  below  it.  M. 
Deshayes's  Tables  give  twenty-one.  Ten  are  from  the 
Paris  basin—seven  from  Bourdeaux.  In  the  United  States 
three  species  have  been  observed  in  a  fossil  state.  The 
canaliculata  and  carica  (Lamarck)  have  been  obtained  at  St 
Mary's,  Maryland.  More  recently  Mr  Conrad  discovered 
a  new  species,  sulcosa,  described  in  the  Journal  of  the 
Academy  of  Natural  Sciences,  vol.  6,  page  220. 

Great  Britain.  Appreciating  his  merits,  the  Geological  Society,  having 
previously  awarded  him  their  first  Woollaston  medal,  publicly  and  appro- 
priately bestowed  it  on  him,  at  the  meeting  of  the  British  Association,  at 
Oxford,  in  June  1832. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  157 

GENUS  MUREX.     Linnaus. 

M.  alternata.     Plate  5.     Fig.  163. 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform,  turrited,  longitudinally 
ribbed,  armed  with  erect  spines ;  substance  of  the  shell 
thin;  spire  elevated,  pointed  at  the  apex;  suture  irregular; 
spines  tubular,  alternately  placed  on  and  between  the 
ribs ;  whorls  seven,  flat  above ;  mouth  entire,  ovate. 
Length  .8,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  curious  little  Murex  strongly  re- 
sembles the  M.  pungens  (Brander),  plate  3,  fig.  82,  (M. 
fistulosus  of  Sowerby),  and  that  under  the  same  name,  fig. 
81,  (M.  tubifer  of  Lamarck  and  Sowerby).  It  differs,  how- 
ever, from  both.  Having  them  in  my  cabinet,  on  com- 
parison, I  find  our  shell  to  be  more  elongate  than  either,  to 
differ  essentially  from  the  fistulosus  in  having  a  longer 
spire  and  much  smaller  ribs,  and  the  tubifer  in  having  but 
one  row  of  spines  instead  of  four.  The  Murices  with  the 
mouth  entire,  were  separated  by  Montfort,  under  the 
name  of  Typhis,  and  Cuvier  has  adopted  it  as  a  subgenus. 


It  is  remarkable  that  among  so  many  new  species  of  the 
various  genera,  only  one  Murex  should  as  yet  have  been 
found  in  this  stratum.  In  England  forty-seven  species 
have  been  observed,  nearly  the  whole  being  from  the 
London  Clay  and  Crag.  Eighty-nine  species  are  men- 


158  CONTRIBUTIONS 

tioned  by  M.  Deshayes  in  the  Tertiary  of  Europe — twenty- 
four  of  these  in  the  Paris  basin.  Two  species  only,  I  be- 
lieve, have  been  heretofore  observed  in  this  country. 
From  the  Tertiary  of  Maryland,  Mr  Conrad  has  described 
the  acuticosta.  From  the  Upper  Tertiary  (Conrad)  of  Vir- 
ginia, the  Miocene  of  Lyell,  Mr  C.  has  described  the  um- 
brifer.  It  would  therefore  appear  that  three  species  only 
of  Murex  in  a  fossil  state  are  now  known  here,  while 
eighty-nine  are  known  to  exist  in  the  Tertiary  of  Europe. 


FAMILY  ALATA. 


GENUS  ROSTELLARIA.     Lamarck. 

R.  Lamarckil*     Plate  5.     Fig.  164. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  covered  with  longitudinal 
flexed  ribs  cut  by  numerous  transverse  strife,  which  in  the 
adult  are  hidden,  the  whole  surface  being  coated  by  a  de- 
posit ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick ;  spire  elevated,  acute 
at  the  apex ;  suture  impressed,  when  coated  as  in  the 
adult  scarcely  perceptible ;  whorls  about  twelve,  convex 
in  the  young,  scarcely  perceptible  through  the  coating  of 
the  adult ;  canal  at  the  base  short,  above  nearly  erect, 
extending  half  way  up  the  spire,  where  passing  in  a  curve 

*  In  naming  this  species  in  honour  of  the  first  conchologist  of  the  age, 
I  do  homage  to  that  acumen  of  science  which  now  penetrates  to  the 
study  of  the  naturalist  in  every  quarter  of  the  globe. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  159 

to  the  opposite  side  it  descends  about  the  same  distance ; 
mouth  subovate,  rather  contracted ;  outer  lip  small,  thin 
and  edged  below,  above  thick  and  recurved. 

Length  2.2,  Breadth  .7,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  curious  species  of  an  interesting 
genus,  presents  characters  unknown  in  any  with  which  I 
am  acquainted.  Its  most  extraordinary  character  is  that 
of  the  deposit,  coating  the  wThole  of  the  shell  thickly  over 
except  the  lip ;  this  gives  it  a  rude  unshapen  appearance. 
It  ascends  and  overtops  the  beautiful  spire,  and  enclosing 
it  forms  a  new  apex  above.  Young  specimens  present  so 
entirely  a  different  aspect  as  to  make  it  difficult  to  believe 
they  are  the  same  species.  They  are  gracefully  formed, 
and  the  superior  part  is  covered  with  longitudinal,  parallel, 
flexed  ribs — fine  transverse  stria?  cover  the  whole  exterior 
surface.  In  this  state  it  closely  resembles  the  young  of  R. 
curvirostris  (Lamarck).  The  figure  represents  a  specimen 
with  the  deposit  removed  from  the  apex,  in  which  state 
they  often  occur.  Having  six  fossil  species  from  Europe, 
in  my  cabinet,  I  am  able  to  make  the  following  compari- 
sons. It  differs  from  the  Strombus  amplus  (Brander), 
(Rostellaria  macroptera  of  Lamarck),  in  being  without  the 
great  wing  which  in  my  largest  specimen  expands 
beyond  and  behind  the  top  of  the  spire.  It  differs  from  the 
R.  longirostra  (Grateloup)  greatly  in  the  deposit,  this 
species  having  little  more  than  the  columelia  thickened — 
it  differs  from  the  R.  columbata  (Lamarck),  which  is  thick- 
ened only  along  the  canal  terminating  near  the  apex — it 
differs  from  the  R.  fissurella  (Lamarck),  which  is  strongly 


160  CONTRIBUTIONS 

ribbed  and  has  the  seat  of  the  canal  raised,  terminating 
near  the  beak — it  differs  from  the  R.  decussata  (Lamarck), 
which  is  largely  ribbed  and  striate,  and  has  the  inferior 
sinus  of  the  Strombus  in  the  outer  lip,  and  it  differs  from  the 
R.  pes-pelecani  (Lamarck),  which  has  the  outer  lip  divided 
into  three  digitate  processes. 

R.  Cuvieri*     Plate  5.     Fig.  165. 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform,  truncate  below,  longitu- 
dinally folded  and  striate  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick ; 
spire  elevated,  suture  linear ;  whorls  about  eight,  very 
slightly  convex ;  canal  at  the  base  very  short,  above 
erect,  terminating  half  way  up  the  spire  ;  columella  thick- 
ened, reflected ;  mouth  contracted ;  outer  lip  truncate 
below,  thickened,  edged. 

Length  .7,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  differs  in  most  of  its  cha- 
racters from  the  last.  It  most  resembles  the  fissurella 
(Lamarck).  The  superior  canal  does  not,  however,  as  in 
that  shell,  extend  to  the  apex.  The  inferior  canal  is  shorter. 
The  ribs  or  folds  are  not  so  strong,  and  the  outer  lip  is 
smaller  and  not  reflected. 


This  genus  has  a  considerable  range  in  the  strata  of 

*  In  honour  of  one  of  the  great  masters  of  natural  science,  I  dedicate 
this  small  but  interesting  species.  No  praise  from  me  could  add  to  the 
memory  of  one  so  illustrious.  I  place  it  alongside  of  that  of  Lamarck. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  161 

England.  Eleven  have  been  described  by  Sowerby,  Phil- 
lips and  Mantell,  one  as  low  as  the  Inferior  Oolite.  The 
highest  are  in  the  London  Clay,  where  five  species  have 
been  observed  by  Mr  Sowerby.  M.  Deshayes  gives  eight 
for  the  Tertiary.  No  species  has  heretofore  been  observed 
in  this  country  to  my  knowledge. 


FAMILY  PURPURIFERA. 

GENUS  MONOCEROS.     Lamarck. 

M.  pyruloides.     Plate  5.     Fig.  166. 

Description.  Shell  turbinate,  inflated,  transversely  and 
indistinctly  striate  above  and  below ;  substance  of  the 
shell  thick ;  transverse  furrow  linear,  with  indistinct 
angular  points ;  spire  short ;  suture  small ;  whorls  five, 
convex ;  umbilicus  rather  large ;  mouth  ovate,  narrow  ; 
columella  thickened  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 

Length  .7,  Breadth  .5,  of  an  inch,-- 

Observalions.  This  species  is  remarkable  for  its  turbi- 
nate form.  The  superior  part  of  the  mouth  is  much 
thickened.  It  may  be  objected  to,  that  this  and  the  two 
following  species  should  be  placed  in  the  genus  Monoceros, 
as  none  of  the  specimens  observed  have  the  seat  of  the 
horn  perfect.  This  part  is  therefore  not  described.  I 
am  satisfied  nevertheless  as  to  the  genus;  for  the  groove 


162  CONTRIBUTIONS 

or  furrow,  which  I  believe  is  always  attendant  on  the 
horn,  exists  distinctly  in  every  individual  of  the  three 
species  which  I  have.  The  angular  points  within  the 
furrow  satisfy  me  entirely  that,  when  perfect  specimens 
are  procured,  the  horn  will  be  found  at  the  termination  of 
the  furrow  on  the  edge  of  the  lip.  This  furrow  may  be 
observed  more  or  less  distinct  on  all  the  recent  species,  at 
least  they  exist  on  the  nine  recent  species  which  are  in 
my  cabinet.  It  is  somewhat  singular,  that  Lamarck 
should  not  have  mentioned  this  furrow,  which  seems 
necessarily  attendant  on  the  horn.  That  naturalist  de- 
scribes only  five  species,  all  of  which  are  recent. 

M.  fusiformis.     Plate  5.     Fig.  167. 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform,  rather  inflated,  trans- 
versely striate  above  and  furrowed  below ;  substance  of 
the  shell  thick ;  transverse  furrow  linear,  with  indistinct 
angular  points ;  spire  rather  short,  subgranulate,  pointed  ; 
suture  small;  whorls  six,  rather  flattened;  umbilicus  none; 
mouth  ovate,  rather  narrow;  columella  thickened;  outer 
lip  sharp. 

Length  .8,  Breadth  .5,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  At  first  view  this  species  might  easily  be 
mistaken  for  the  last.  In  some  characters,  however,  it  is 
very  distinct.  Its  being  without  an  umbilicus  at  once  dis- 
tinguishes it.  The  spire  is  also  more  elevated.  See  the 
remarks  on  the  horn  of  the  last  described. 


TO  GEOLOGY. 


163 


M.  sukatum.     Plate  5.     Fig.  168. 

Description.  Shell  turbinate,  inflated,  transversely  fur- 
rowed over  the  whole  surface ;  substance  of  the  shell 
rather  thin  ;  transverse  furrow  linear  with  indistinct  angu- 
lar points  ;  spire ;  suture  rather  small ;  whorls , 

convex ;  umbilicus  none ;  mouth  ovate,  narrow ;  columella 
smooth  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 

Length  ....  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  single  specimen  only,  and  that  with  a 
fractured  spire,  has  come  into  my  possession.  The  descrip- 
tion is  therefore  imperfect.  I  am  not  satisfied  that  it  is  an 
adult.  It  may  be  found  to  be  a  larger  species  than  here 
represented  when  more  are  procured,  and  then  some  of 
the  above  characters  may  be  found  to  differ.  It  most 
resembles  the  last  described.  It  is  not  so  elongate  a 
shell,  and  the  furrows  distinguish  it  at  once.  In  regard 
to  the  horn  I  refer  to  the  remarks  on  the  pyruloides. 


The  Monoceros  has  not  heretofore  been  observed  so  low 
in  the  series  even  as  the  lower  Tertiary  Beds.  One  species 
only  in  a  fossil  state  seems  to  have  been  noticed  in  Europe. 
M.  Deshayes  mentions  a  single  species  and  that  in  the 
Pliocene  of  the  Subappennines.  It  has  not  heretofore  been 
observed  in  the  formations  of  this  country.  In  M.  Des- 
hayes's  Tables,  six  recent  species  only  are  given.  My 
cabinet  has  nine. 


164  CONTRIBUTIONS 


GENUS  BUCCINUM.     Linnceus. 

*% 

B.  Sowerbii*     Plate  5.     Fig.  169. 

Description.  Shell  ovately  conical,  minutely  and  trans- 
versely striate  over  the  whole  surface ;  substance  of  the 
shell  rather  thick ;  spire  short,  mammillary  ;  suture  small ; 
whorls  six,  convex ;  mouth  ovate ;  columella  slightly 
wrinkled  at  the  base  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 

Length  .5,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  beautiful  little  Buccinum  is  the  only 
species  which  has  come  under  my  notice  from  Alabama. 
Its  close  and  beautiful  striae  are  very  remarkable. 


Of  this  genus  twenty-sevenf  species  have  been  observed 
in  Great  Britain,  several  as  low  as  the  Mountain  Lime- 
stone, but  chiefly  in  the  London  Clay  and  the  Crag.  M. 
Deshayes  gives  ninety-five  species  for  the  Tertiary  in  his 
Tables.  It  appears  to  be  much  more  abundant  in  the 
Upper  Formations.  The  Pliocene  of  the  Subappennines 
furnishes  twenty-seven  species,  Bourdeaux  (Miocene)  twen- 
ty-one, Paris  (Eocene)  nine.  In  this  country  four  species 
have  been  observed.  Mr  Say  has  described  two  from  the 

*  Named  after  the  author  of  the  "  Mineral  Conchology"  of  Great 
Britain. 

t  These  include  the  genus  Nassa. 


i*E 


W  MO 

Mi 


i  \siu.i  \iiiA 


irutlu'plicata 
plicata 


. 

plicaUt, 

clevcua. 


148 
149 

II? 

164 

155 
156 
157 
168 

I.>" 
160 
161 


Oclfibfsht 

vriiatitf 

,._4  \>rj\-t>S'i 
n.  i  ii  us 
l-'itU'ini 


162  KYRVI.A  Smit/iii 

163  MUKKX  -      alternaca 

164  ROSTKLUUUA  Lamarck* 
1/35  . Cuvitrt 

166  MO'XOCEHOS  //(//•«/. •('<//.'• 

167  fuflf&raut 

168  j-«^.««t/« 

169  BUCCINI-M  JV»«»*H 

170  VASSA  .•lui^eU.>itA 

171  TKKFIIKA  ...aracilis 

m 

173  -  ^    :  ,v;)//o-A/ 

174  MITRA        -  lnt,',,r.l 


i  v  r,  r. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  165 

older  Pliocene,  Maryland,  and  Mr  Conrad  two  from  York 
Town,  Virginia,  also  the  older  Pliocene. 


GENUS  NASSA.     Lamarck. 

JV.  cancellata.     Plate  5.     Fig.  170. 

Description.  Shell  turrited,  cancellate ;  substance  of 
the  shell  rather  thin ;  spire  elevated,  not  acutely  pointed  ; 
suture  irregularly  impressed ;  whorls  nine,  subangular 
above  and  furnished  with  a  transverse  furrow;  mouth 
ovate ;  columella  but  slightly  thickened  ;  outer  lip  sub- 
crenate,  striate  within. 

Length  .8,  Breadth  7-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  finely  ornamented  Nassa  has  a 
strong  resemblance  to  several  recent  species.  It  is  can- 
cellate all  over  except  at  the  very  apex,  where  it  is  smooth 
and  polished. 


I  have  observed  but  a  single  species  of  this  genus  among 
the  shells  received  from  Claiborne.  I  have  not  hesitated 
to  separate  this  genus  from  Buccinum,  (although  Lamarck 
united  them  after  having  made  the  division)  because  they 
certainly  form  a  very  natural  group.  Cuvier*  separates 
it,  as  M.  de  Blainvillef  also  does,  into  a  subgenus. 

As   neither  the  English  nor  French  geologists  have 

*  Animal  Kingdom,  vol.  2,  p.  374.  t  Manuel,  &c.  p.  408. 


166  CONTRIBUTIONS 

divided  the  Nassw  from  the  Buccina  genetically,  I  am 
unable  to  quote  them  here. 

Mr  Conrad  has  observed  in  the  Tertiary  of  Maryland 
four  species,  three  of  which  had  been  described  by  Mr  Say 
in  a  recent  state  from  our  shores. 


GENUS  TEREBRA.     Lamarck. 

T.  gradlis.     Plate  5.     Fig.  171. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  longitudinally  ribbed,  trans- 
versely and  closely  striate,  substance  of  the  shell  some- 
what thick ;  spire  not  much  elevated,  acute  at  apex ; 
suture  small,  irregular ;  whorls  eight,  slightly  convex  ; 
mouth  linear  ;  columella  striate  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 
Length  .4,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  pretty  little  species  at  first  view 
might  easily  be  taken  for  a  Mitra — its  twisted  and  striate 
columella,  however,  place  it  among  the  Terebrw,  where  it 
very  properly  may  form  a  link  with  the  Mitrce. 

T.  costata.     Plate  5.     Fig.  172. 

Description.  Shell  subulate,  with  low  wide  longitudi- 
nal ribs  cut  by  sharp  transverse  striae  ;  substance  of  the 
shell  rather  thin  ;  spire  elevated,  acutely  pointed  ;  suture 
furrowed  ;  whorls  nine,  slightly  .convex  ;  mouth  narrow  ; 
columella  biplicate ;  outer  lip  subcrenate,  within  striate. 

Length  ll-20ths,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  167 

Observations.  This  is  a  much  smaller  species  than  the 
last,  and  its  sharp  transverse  striae,  which  are  much  more 
distant,  together  with  the  folded  columella,  render  it  im- 
possible to  confound  them. 

T.  venusta.     Plate  5.     Fig.  173. 

Description.  Shell  subulate,  very  much  attenuated, 
with  close  longitudinal  ribs  and  minute  transverse  striae  in 
the  intermediate  spaces ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin ; 
spire  very  much  elevated,  acutely  pointed ;  suture  linear  ; 
whorls  fifteen,  flattened ;  mouth  narrow ;  columella  smooth ; 
outer  lip . 

Length  13-20ths,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  very  distinct  species  from  the  above, 
being  more  attenuate,  having  a  smooth  columella,  and 
being  more  closely  ribbed.  The  transverse  striae,  inter- 
mediate between  the  ribs,  are  very  minute,  while  in  the 
above  two  species  they  are  larger  and  cross  the  ribs. 


Four  species  of  this  genus  have  been  observed  in  Eng- 
land :  three  species  in  the  Oolitic  Group  and  one  in  the 
London  Clay.  Sixteen  are  given  for  the  Tertiary  by  M. 
Deshayes.  Ten  of  these  are  found  at  Baden  (Miocene), 
and  seven  at  Bourdeaux  (Miocene).  In  the  Tertiary  of 
Maryland  Mr  Conrad  has  observed  one  species,  which  he 
calls  simplex,  being  the  only  one  heretofore  observed  in  our 
Formations. 


168  CONTRIBUTIONS 


FAMILY  COLUMELLARIA. 

GENUS  MITRA.     Lamarck. 

M.  lineata.     Plate  5.     Fig.  174. 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform,  longitudinally  and  in- 
distinctly ribbed,  furnished  with  a  small  transverse  line 
below  the  suture ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin  ;  spire  some- 
what elevated  ;  suture  small ;  whorls  ,  flattened  ; 

mouth  narrow ;  columella  with  four  folds^  outer  lip 
sharp ;  within  striate. 

Length  .3,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  A  single  specimen  only  of  this  species, 
and  that  with  the  spire  fractured,  has  been  examined  by  me. 
The  folds  are  placed  towards  the  base,  which  causes  it  to 
look  somewhat  like  a  Pyramidella.  The  figure  of  Mr 
Murchison's  M.  cancellata  from  Gosau,  has  some  resem- 
blance to  our  shell.* 

M.  minima.     Plate  6.     Fig.  175. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  smooth  ;  substance  of  the 
shell  thin;  spire  somewhat  elevated,  rounded  at  the  apex ; 

*  Geol.  Soc.  Trans,  vol.  3,  pi.  39,  fig.  30. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  169 

suture  linear ;    whorls  five,   flattened ;   mouth  narrow ; 
columella  with  four  folds  ;   outer  lip  sharp,  within  striate. 

Length  3-20ths,  Breadth  l-20th,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Like  the  above,  I  have  had  but  a  single 
specimen  of  this  species  to  examine.  It  is,  however,  per- 
fect. In  outline  it  is  very  like  the  last  described,  but  is 
much  smaller.  It  differs  also  in  having  no  ribs  and  being 
without  the  transverse  line  below  the  suture.  The  folds 
are  placed,  like  the  above,  near  the  base,  and  in  this  it  re- 
sembles two  recent  species  described  by  Pyraudeau,  the 
Defrancii  and  Savignyi.* 

M.fusoides.     Plate  6.     Fig.  176. 

Description.  Shell  ovato-fusiform,  longitudinally  and 
closely  ribbed,  transversely  striate  above,  furrowed  below 
the  suture ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thick ;  spire 
short,  rounded  at  the  apex  ;  suture  irregularly  impressed  ; 
whorls  six,  flattened  ;  mouth  linear  ;  columella  with  four 
somewhat  distant  folds ;  outer  lip  sharp,  within  minutely 
and  closely  crenate. 

Length  ,4,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  pretty  little  species  differs  from  the 
two  above  described,  in  being  much  shorter  and  wider  in 
proportion.  It  also  differs  in  having  transverse  striae  above 
and  having  a  furrow  below  the  suture.  The  folds  are  the 
same  in  number,  but  placed  higher  on  the  columella,  and 

*  Catalogue,  &c,  de  L'isle  de  Corse,  pi.  8,  figs.  22  and  24. 
w 


170  CONTRIBUTIONS 

are  more  separated  from  each  other.  In  some  specimens 
the  ribs  and  transverse  striae  are  so  obsolete  as  to  present, 
an  almost  perfectly  smooth  shell.  This  species  very  close- 
ly resembles  the  figure  of  *M.  pumila*  (Sowerby.)  It  dif- 
fers in  having  a  transverse  furrow,  and  in  the  ribs  being 
much  stronger  than  the  transverse  striae. 

M.  Flemingii.-\    Plate  6.     Fig.  177. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  transversely  and  very-mi- 
nutely striate ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick ;  spire  ele- 
vated, rounded  at  the  apex  ;  suture  linear  ;  whorls  five, 
obtusely  angular  above;  mouth  contracted,  nearly  straight ; 
columella  with  four  folds  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 

Length  .8,  Breadth  .4,  of  an  inch. 

Observation.  This  species  approaches  very  closely  in 
many  of  its  characters  to  the  genus  Voluta.  The  regular 
folds,  however,  of  the  columella  place  it  strictly  among 
the  tMitrce.  It  is  a  much  larger  shell  than  the  fusoides — 
has  no  ribs,  and  is  more  attenuate. 

M.  Humboldtii4     Plate  6.     Fig.  178. 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform,  transversely  and  very 
closely  striate,  canaliculate  above ;  substance  of  the  shell 
rather  thick  ;  spire ;  suture  linear  ;  whorls  , 

*  Min.  Conch,  vol.  5,  pi.  430. 

t  Named  after  the  author  of"  A  History  of  British  Animals,"  &c. 
|  In  placing  the  name  of  the  Baron  Humboldt  to  this  species,  I  use 
that  which  is  among  the  most  illustrious  in  geology. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  171 

slightly  canaliculate  above ;  mouth  subovate,  rather  nar- 
row ;  columella  with  four  folds,  curved  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 

Length Breadth  .5,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  At  first  view  this  species  might  be  mis- 
taken for  the  above.  Its  curved  columella  and  more  re- 
flected lip,  however,  serve  readily  to  distinguish  it.  The 
striae  on  the  superior  part  of  the  whorls  are  stronger  than 
on  the  body.  Having  but  a  single  specimen,  the  apex  of 
which  is  removed,  the  description  is  somewhat  defective. 


Three  species*  only  of  Mitra  have  been  observed  in 
England  and  those  are  all  from  Barton  Cliff,  London  Clay 
Formation,  having  been  described  by  Mr  Sowerby  in  his 
Mineral  Conchology.  M.  Deshayes  gives  sixty-six  species, 
in  his  Tables,  from  the  Tertiary.  Twenty-four  are  from  the 
Paris  basin  alone,  and  thirteen  from  the  Subappennines. 
No  fossil  species  have,  I  believe,  been  before  observed  in 
our  Formations. 


GENUS  VOLUTA.     Linnceus. 

V.  DefranciiJ    Plate  6.     Fig.  179. 
Description.     Shell  turbinate,  transversely  striate,  coro- 

*  Fleming  (British  Animals,  p.  333,)  makes  a  fourth,  by  adding  the 
Valuta  Lamberti  to  his  list  of  Mitra.  The  genus  must  be  considered  to 
be  very  badly  denned,  for  Mr  Conrad  places  this  species  among  the 
FasciolaruB,  (Journal  of  the  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  vol.  6,  p.  216.)  I  should 
certainly  agree  with  Mr  Sowerby,  and  keep  it  with  the  Volutes. 

\  Named  after  the  distinguished  fossil  conchologist  M.  Defrance. 


172  CONTRIBUTIONS 

nate  ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thin  ;  spire  somewhat 
produced,  acute  at  the  apex ;  suture  small  and  irregular  ; 
whorls  seven,  subangular  above  ;  mouth  rather  narrow  ; 
columella  with  two  folds  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 
Length  .9,  Breadth  .5,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  is  the  largest  species  I  have  noticed 
from  this  deposit.  It  occurs  one  half  longer  than  the  in- 
dividual figured.  It  more  strongly  resembles  the  V.  spinosa 
(Lamarck)  than  any  species  I  know,  but  differs  somewhat 
in  the  form,  and  in  not  having  such  strong  spines  on  the 
superior  part  of  the  whorl,  these  in  our  species  being  re- 
placed by  very  short  spines  or  compressed  tubercles.  In 
some  specimens  these  are  disposed  to  be  double,  and  in 
others  the  spines  lengthen  down  the  sides  and  form  a  kind 
of  rib.  A  third,  very  small  fold,  may  sometimes  be  ob- 
served in  this  species  above  the  two  large  ones. 

V.  gradlis.     Plate  6.     Fig.  180. 

Description.  Shell  ovately  turbinate,  transversely  striate 
below,  longitudinally  and  closely  ribbed  above,  coronate  ; 
substance  of  the  shell  thin  ;  spire  turrited  ;  suture  linear  ; 
whorls  six,  angular  and  canaliculate  above  ;  mouth  nar- 
row, straight ;  columella  with  two  folds  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 

Length  .6,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  differs  from  the  Defrancii,  in  being 
striate  only  on  the  inferior  part,  and  in  having  close  longi- 
tudinal ribs.  The  end  of  the  ribs  are  disposed  to  be  granu- 
late at  the  angle. 


TO    GEOLOGY.  173 


F.parva.     Plate  6.     Fig.  181. 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform,  transversely  striate  be- 
low, longitudinally  and  rather  widely  ribbed,  with  small 
spines  on  the  angle  of  the  whorls  ;  substance  of  the  shell 
thin  ;  spire  rather  elevated  ;  suture  irregularly  impressed  ; 
whorls  six,  angular  and  subcanaliculate  above ;  mouth 
narrow,  straight ;  columella  somewhat  oblique,  with  three 
folds  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 
Length  5-20ths,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  is  a  smaller  species  than  the  last, 
and  may  be  distinguished  by  its  more  tapering  spire,  its 
wider  ribs  and  spines,  which  are,  however,  small.  A 
single  specimen  only  of  this  and  the  last  described  species 
having  come  into  my  possession,  it  may  be  found,  in  others, 
that  the  characters  mentioned  above  are  not  entirely  per- 
manent. 

V.  Fanuxemi.*     Plate  6.     Fig.  182. 

Description.  Shell  turbinate,  transversely  striate  on  the 
base,  with  rather  large  spines  above ;  substance  of  the 
shell  thick  ;  spire  short ;  suture  small ;  whorls  five,  angu- 
lar above  ;  mouth  somewhat  narrow ;  columeUa  with  two 
folds  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 

Length  1.2,  Breadth  .7,  of  an  inch. 

*  I  have  placed  on  this  species  the  name  of  my  friend,  Professor  Van- 
uxem,  one  of  our  most  distinguished  geologists. 


174  CONTRIBUTIONS 

Observations.  This  species  is  allied  to  the  Defrancii, 
above  described,  by  its  general  form,  but  differs  in  being 
rather  wider,  in  being  more  angular  above,  in  having  larger 
spines,  and  in  having  a  smooth  surface,  except  on  the  base. 
It  has  a  stronger  resemblance  in  its  form  to  V.  spinosa 
(Lamarck)  than  the  Defrandi  described  above,  but  is  spe- 
cifically distinct.  It  resembles  both  the  athleta  and  depau- 
perata*  (Sowerby),  but  has  more  spines  than  the  former, 
and  has  fewer  than  the  latter. 

V.  striata.     Plate  6.     Fig.  183. 

Description.      Shell  turbinate,    covered    with    minute, 

transverse  stria3  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin  ;  spire ; 

suture    small,   irregular  ;   whorls  ,   subcanaliculate 

above  ;  mouth  contracted,  nearly  straight ;  columella  with 
five  folds ;  outer  lip  sharp. 

Length  .  ....  Breadth  .4,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Differs  from  those  described  above,  in  the 
number  of  its  folds,  as  well  as  in  being  without  spines.  It 
more  closely  resembles  the  V.  Cooperii  (herein  described) 
but  is  less  inflated,  and  has  not,  like  that  species,  folds  on 
the  superior  part  of  the  whorls.  On  that  part  of  the  pre- 
sent species,  the  striae  are  closer  and  deeper,  and  it  is  there 
somewhat  depressed.  Not  having  a  perfect  specimen,  some 
of  the  characters  are  necessarily  deficient  in  the  descrip- 
tion. The  character  of  its  folds  approaches  the  mitras. 

*  Min.  Conch,  pi.  396. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  175 


V.  Parkinsonil*     Plate  6.     Fig.  184. 

Description.  Shell  subturbinate,  very  closely  covered 
with  minute,  transverse  striae  ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather 

thin  ;  spire ;  suture  linear  ;  whorls ,  flattened 

above  ;  mouth  rather  contracted  ;  columella  with  four 
folds  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 

Length  ....  Breadth  .4,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  very  closely  resembles  the  last  spe- 
cies. It  differs  in  being  less  turbinate,  in  having  more 
closely  set  striae,  and  in  having  one  tooth  less  in  number. 
Unfortunately,  I  have  but  one  specimen,  and  that  with  the 
spire  removed.  The  relative  character  of  four  or  five  folds, 
in  this  and  the  last  described,  may  differ  in  other  individu- 
als. The  species  are,  nevertheless,  distinct. 

V.  CooperiiJ     Plate  6.     Pig.  185. 

Description.  Shell  pyriform,  inflated,  obtusely  angular 
above,  furnished  on  the  inferior  part  with  about  ten  distinct, 
oblique,  distant  striee ;  substance  of  the  shell  somewhat 
thick  ;  suture  small  and  subgranulate  ;  spire  very  slightly 
elevated,  rounded  at  the  apex  ;  whorls  flattened  above ; 
canal  very  short  and  wide  ;  columella  with  five  folds ; 
mouth  long  and  lunate. 

Length  1.2,  Breadth  .9,  of  an  inch. 

*  Named  after  the  author  of  "  Organic  Remains"  and  "  Outlines  of 
Oryctology." 

t  Named  after  my  friend,  William  Cooper,  distinguished  for  his  know- 
ledge in  natural  science. 


176  CONTRIBUTIONS 

Observations.  This  species  resembles  the  Turbinella  py- 
ruloides  of  Conrad,  which,  it  appears  to  me,  more  properly 
belongs  to  the  genus  Valuta.  It  differs  from  it  in  being 
more  turbinate,  in  having  five  folds,  in  having  a  more  ob- 
tuse spire,  and  in  the  striae  being  few  and  distant.  In 
some  of  the  specimens  of  the  pyruloides  in  my  cabinet,  the 
"  obscure  spiral  striee"  cover  the  whole  surface  of  the 
shell. 


Sixteen  species  have  been  observed  in  England,  all  in 
the  London  Clay,  except  one,  which  is  found  in  the  Crag, 
the  V.  Lambertii.  Thirty-two  are  given  by  M.  Deshayes, 
twenty-four  being  in  the  Paris  basin.  In  the  Tertiary  of 
Maryland  Mr  Conrad  has  observed  two  species,  solitaria 
and  Lamberti,*  and  at  Claiborne  one,  the  pyruloides.  f 


GENUS  MARGINELLA.     Lamarck. 

M.  anatina.     Plate  6.     Fig.  186. 

Description.  Shell  ovate,  smooth  ;  substance  of  the 
shell  thick  ;  suture  slightly  impressed  ;  spire  short,  coni- 
cal ;  whorls  five  ;  flattened  above ;  columella  with  

folds,  thickened  ;  mouth  narrow  ;  outer  lip  much  thicken- 
ed and  beautifully  crenulate  within. 
Length  9-20ths,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.     A  single  specimen  only  has  come  into 

*  Fasciolaria Laraberti,  (Conrad),     t  Turbinella  pyruloides,  (Conrad). 


TO  GEOLOGY.  177 

my  possession.  Having  been  injured  on  a  part  of  the 
columella,  it  is  impossible  to  decide  on  the  number  of  its 
folds,  but  presume  it  to  be  nine  or  ten.  The  front  part  of 
the  shell  is  coated  somewhat  like  a  Nassa. 

M.  columba.    Plate  6.     Fig.  187. 

Description.  Shell  ovate,  smooth ;  substance  of  the 
shell  thick ;  suture  scarcely  perceptible,  spire  somewhat 
elevated,  conical ;  whorls  ,  slightly  convex  ;  colu- 
mella with  five  folds  ;  mouth  narrow,  straight ;  outer  lip 
much  thickened,  crenulate  within. 
Length  7-20ths,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Like  the  last  described,  a  single  individual 
only  of  this  species  came  into  my  possession.  In  outline 
they  resemble  each  other.  The  columba  has  not,  how- 
ever, any  deposit  or  coating — it  has  a  higher  spire  and  a 
less  number  of  folds.  The  folds  too  are  different  in  the 
latter,  having  the  appearance  of  being  formed  by  the 
grooving  of  the  columella,  while  in  the  anatina  they  are 
placed  on  the  columella. 

M.  crassilabra.     Plate  6.     Fig.  188. 

Description.  Shell  ovate,  polished ;  substance  of  the 
shell  thick ;  spire  very  short,  pointed  ;  whorls  four,  flatten- 
ed above ;  columella  with  four  folds ;  mouth  narrow, 
somewhat  curved ;  outer  lip  very  thick,  minutely  crenu- 
late within. 

Length  7-20ths,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

X 


178  CONTRIBUTIONS 

Observations.  This  species  differs  from  the  last  in 
being  broader,  in  having  a  shorter  spire,  in  having  one 
fold  less,  and  in  being  thicker  in  the  lip. 

M.  plicata.     Plate  6.     Fig.  189. 

Description.  Shell  ovate,  longitudinally  folded  above  ; 
substance  of  the  shell  rather  thick ;  spire  short,  rounded 
at  the  apex ;  whorls  three,  flattened  above ;  columella 
with  six  folds ;  mouth  narrow,  curved ;  outer  lip  thick, 
finely  crenulate  within. 
Length  5-20ths,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Differs  from  all  the  species  herein  de- 
scribed, in  having  longitudinal  folds,  which  are  placed  on 
the  superior  part  of  the  whorls. 

M.  semen.     Plate  6.     Fig.  190. 

Description.  Shell  ova  to-elliptical,  polished  ;  substance 
of  the  shell  rather  thick  ;  spire  very  short  and  rounded  at 
the  apex  ;  whorls  three,  flattened  above  ;  columella  with 
six  folds ;  mouth  narrow,  curved  ;  outer  lip  somewhat 
thick  and  very  minutely  crenulate  within. 

Length  5-20ths,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  seems  most  analagous  to  the 
last  described,  but  is  without  its  exterior  folds,  and  is  more 
elliptical. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  179 


M.  ovata.     Plate  6.     Fig.  191. 

Description.  Shell  ovate,  smooth;  substance  of  the 
shell  thick  ;  spire  very  short,  the  apex  being  scarcely  visi- 
ble ;  whorls  flattened  above  ;  columella  with  eight  folds  ; 
mouth  narrow,  curved  ;  outer  lip-  very  slightly  thickened 
and  minutely  crenulate  within. 

Length  ll-20ths,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  most  resembles  the  last  de- 
scribed, but  differs  in  the  spire,  in  the  number  of  folds,  and 
in  the  size.  In  the  adult  the  last  whorl  covers  the  spire 
except  at  the  very  apex.  The  thickening  of  the  margin 
of  the  outer  lip  is  so  small  as  scarcely  to  be  perceptible. 
In  some  individuals  it  cannot  be  traced.  This  lip  is  edged 
and  somewhat  gibbous  above. 


M.  incurva.     Plate  6.     Fig.  192. 

Description.  Shell  ovate,  smooth  ;  substance  of  the 
shell  thin ;  spire  somewhat  protruded,  rounded  at  the 
apex ;  whorls  four,  flattened  above ;  columella  curved, 
with  four  folds ;  mouth  subovate,  narrow  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 

Length  5-20ths,  Breadth  nearly  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  is  placed  at  the  last  of  the  Margi- 
nella,  as  it  has  characters  which  approach  strongly  to  the 
Voharm.  It  has  no  thickened  margin  on  the  outer  lip,  at 
least  in  the  specimens  (three)  which  I  have  seen.  The 


180  CONTRIBUTIONS 

folds  are  only  four  in  number,  and  are  placed  near  to  the 
base. 


The  genus  Marginella  does  not  seem  to  have  been  ob- 
served in  a  fossil  state  in  Great  Britain.  Seventeen 
species  are  given  in  M.  Deshayes's  Tables,  nine  of  these 
are  from  Paris.  From  the  Tertiary  of  Maryland  Mr  Con- 
rad has  described  one  species,  the  denticulata-  Professor 
Vanuxem  presented  me  some  years  since  with  a  specimen 
from  Charleston,  S.  C.,  taken  from  a  bed  of  very  recent 
Formation,  (newer  Pliocene  Period,) — he  did  not  deter- 
mine its  species.  I  suspect  it  to  be  analagous  with  an 
existing  species  of  the  West  Indies. 


FAMILY  CONVOLUTA. 

GENUS  ANOLAX.*     Roissy. 

A.  gigantea.     Plate  6.     Fig.  193. 

Description.  Shell  ovato-elliptical,  smooth  ;  substance 
of  the  shell  thick  ;  suture  scarcely  visible  ;  spire  conical, 
acute  at  the  apex  ;  whorls  four,  flattened  above  ;  columella 
smooth ;  mouth  ovate,  three  fifths  the  length  of  the  shell, 
largely  emarginate  below  and  slightly  so  above  ;  inner  lip 

*  Andllaria,  (Lamarck).     I  use  the  name  of  Anolax  on  the  authority 
of  M.  Brogniart.    See  Terrains  du  Vicentin,  p.  63. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  181 

very  much  thickened,  swollen  and  projecting  about  the 
middle  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 
Length  2.5,  Breadth  1.5,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  is  the  largest  Jlnolax,  recent  or  fossil, 
I  have  seen.  It  resembles,  in  its  general  character,  the 
altile  and  subglobosa  (Conrad),  and  particularly  so  in  the 
great  mass  of  deposit  on  the  inner  lip.  It  differs  from  them 
in  size,  and  in  being  more  ovate.  I  have  had  it  in  my 
power  to  examine  but  a  single  specimen  of  this  species. 
Other  individuals  may  present  different  characters. 

A.  plicata.     Plate  6.     Fig.  194. 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform,  turrited,  longitudinally 
folded  above  ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thick  ;  suture 
impressed  in  the  callus,  spire  elevated,  not  pointed  at  the 
apex  ;  whorls  six,  flattened  above  ;  mouth  ovate,  half  the 
length  of  the  shell ;  outer  lip  sharp. 

Length  .4,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  most  resembles  the  scamba 
(Conrad),  but  is  a  much  smaller  shell,  and  may  at  once  be 
distinguished  by  its  longitudinal  folds. 


Four  species  of  this  genus  have  been  observed  in  the 
London  Clay  of  England.  In  the  Tertiary  Tables  of  M. 
Deshayes  we  find  nine.  Of  these  five  are  found  in  the  Paris 
basin.  Mr  Conrad  has  observed  four  from  the  same  stratum 
at  Claiborne,  whence  those  above  described  were  taken. 


182  CONTRIBUTIONS 


GENUS  OLIVA.     Lamarck. 

O.  constricta.     Plate  6.     Fig.  195. 

Description.  Shell  cylindrico-f  usiform  ;  substance  of  the 
shell  rather  thick ;  spire  elevated,  pointed ;  whorls  six,  flat 
above  ;  columella  with  about  five  irregular  folds  near  the 
base  ;  mouth  narrow,  about  three  fifths  the  length  of  the 
shell. 
Length  .9,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  There  is  a  great  resemblance  between 
this  species  and  the  clavula  (Lamarck),  and  it  may  be 
doubtful  if  they  should  be  separated.  Our  shell  has  a 
shorter  mouth,  a  higher  spire,  and  is,  perhaps,  more 
slender. 


O.  gracilis.     Plate  6.     Fig.  196. 

Description.     Shell  subfusiform,  polished  ;  substance  of 

the  shell  thin  ;  spire  elevated,  pointed  ;  whorls  five,  slightly 

convex  ;  columella  with  five  or  six  irregular  folds  near  the 

base  ;  mouth  narrow,  about  one  half  the  length  of  the  shell. 

Length  7-20ths,  Breadth  .l,of  an  inch. 

Observations.  The  graceful  form  of  this  little  species,  as 
well  as  its  size,  will  easily  distinguish  it  from  the  following 
one.  It  is  less  cylindrical  than  that  which  precedes  it, 
and  properly  placed  between  both,  as  it  bears  some  of  the 
characters  of  both. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  183 


O.  Greenoughi*     Plate  6.     Fig.  197. 

Description.  Shell  fusiform,  subulate  ;  substance  of  the 
shell  thick ;  spire  much  elevated,  pointed  ;  whorls  six, 
slightly  impressed  above  the  suture  ;  columella  irregularly 
folded  at  the  base  ;  mouth  rather  wide,  nearly  one  half  the 
length  of  the  shell. 

Length  1.6,  Breadth  .5,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  has  the  most  elevated  spire 
of  any  Oliva  I  have  seen.  It  has  some  resemblance  to  the 
subulata  (Lamarck),  a  recent  species,  but  is  a  more  slen- 
der shell,  and  has  a  much  more  elevated  spire.  It  is  re- 
markable for  its  spire  and  the  shortness  of  the  mouth. 

O.  dubia.     Plate  6.     Fig.  198. 

Description.  Shell  ovately  fusiform ;  substance  of  the 
shell  thick  ;  spire  elevated,  pointed  ;  whorls  five,  slightly 
impressed  above  the  suture ;  columella  irregularly  folded 
at  the  base ;  mouth  wide,  three  fifths  the  length  of  the  shell. 

Length  1.5,  Breadth  .6,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  very  closely  resembles  the 
last  described,  but  is  less  elongate.  It  has  some  resem- 
blance to  the  plicaria  (Lamarck), 'but  the  moutn  is  shorter 
and  less  open,  and  it  is  less  impressed  on  the  columella 
above  the  folds. 

*  Named  after  the  distinguished  British  geologist,  Mr  Greenough. 


184  CONTRIBUTIONS 


O.  Phillipsii.*     Plate  6.     Fig.  199. 

Description.  Shell  ovately-fusiform,  polished  ;  substance 
of  the  shell  rather  thick;  spire  elevated,  somewhat  turrited; 
whorls  six,  flattened  above  ;  columella  with  three  or  four 
oblique  folds  at  the  base  ;  mouth  somewhat  narrow,  rather 
more  than  one  half  the  length  of  the  shell. 

Length  .6,  Breadth  5-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Differs  from  the  other  species  here  de- 
scribed, in  being  wider  in  proportion  to  its  length,  and 
having  the  spire  somewhat  turrited.  This  character  is 
caused  partly  because  there  is  no  deposit  along  the  canal. 
I  have  seen  no  other  species  among  the  foreign  or  Ameri- 
can fossil  Olivw,  without  this  deposit. 

O.  minima.     Plate  6.     Fig.  200. 

Description.  Shell  ovate  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin  ; 
spire  short  and  obtuse  ;  whorls  four,  rather  convex  above  ; 
columella  with  about  six  equidistant  folds  extending  high 
up ;  mouth  long,  narrow  and  curved,  being  four  fifths  the 
length  of  the  shell. 

Length  .2,  Breadth  .1,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  very  small  species  differs  from  those 
above  described,  in  the  spire  being  short  and  obtuse,  and 

*  Named  after  one  of  the  distinguished  authors  of  "  Outlines  of  the 
Geology  of  England  and  Wales." 


TO  GEOLOGY.  185 

in  having  folds  which  are  nearly  transverse,  and  occupy 
almost  the  whole  of  the  left  side  of  the  mouth. 


Three  species  of  Oliva  have  been  observed  in  Great  Bri- 
tain, all  being  from  the  London  Clay.  Thirteen  have  been 
observed  by  M.  Deshayes  in  the  Tertiary  ;  six  of  these  are 
from  the  Paris  basin.  I  am  not  aware  of  the  genus  having 
before  been  observed  in  our  Formations. 


GENUS  MONOPTYGMA.*     (nobis.) 

Description.  Shell  subfusiform  ;  mouth  ovate  ;  colu- 
mella  furnished  with  a  single  fold  passing  obliquely  into 
the  interior  of  the  mouth. 

Observations.  The  peculiar  fold  on  the  columella  of  this 
shell  at  once  separates  it  from  any  genus  heretofore  de- 
scribed. In  our  species,  it  crosses  the  columella  equidistant 
from  the  two  extremities  of  the  mouth,  in  an  oblique  spiral 
manner,  starting  from  the  base.  It  is  certainly  a  very  in- 
teresting shell,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  further  investiga- 
tion will  bring  to  our  knowledge  other  species.  f 


*  Metro;,  unus,  and  vrvy^ct^  plica. 

t  Since  the  above  was  written,  the  arrival  of  the  ship  Georgian,  from 
Calcutta,  has  put  in  my  possession  a  recent  shell  which  should  be 
placed  in  this  genus.  In  outline  it  resembles  a  Mclania,  but  the  single 
fold  on  the  columella,  and  the  sinus  of  the  base,  forbid  its  being  there 
placed.  The  lower  part  of  the  mouth  presents  the  character  of  the  Ce- 
rithium.  I  propose  to  call  it  Monoptygma  melanoides. 
Y 


186  CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  GEOLOGY. 


M.  Jllabamiensis.     Plate  6.     Fig.  201. 

Description.  Shell  ovate,  smooth ;  substance  of  the  shell 
rather  thick ;  spire  rather  elevated  ;  whorls  slightly  in- 
curved above ;  columella  furnished  with  a  large  oblique 
fold  ;  mouth  narrow,  subovate,  emarginate  at  base  ;  outer 
lip  sharp,  within  having  one  or  two  longitudinal  folds. 

Length  .4,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  Unfortunately,  but  two  specimens  of  this 
species  were  obtained,  neither  of  which  is  entirely  per- 
fect. The  fold  is  situated  about  the  middle  of  the  colu- 
mella, and  is  very  large.  One  of  the  specimens  has  but  one 
longitudinal  fold  within  the  lip,  while  the  other  has  two. 
The  sutures  are  filled  up  by  the  incrusted  deposit  which 
extends  to  the  top  of  the  spire. 


GENUS  CONUS.     Linnaus. 

C.  Claibornensis. 

Description.  A  small  cone,  for  which  I  had  proposed  this 
name,  was  found  in  the  sand,  and  by  accident  was  mislaid, 
before  the  description  and  figure  were  made.  It  was  about 
one  quarter  of  an  inch  long,  flattened  on  the  sides,  cari- 
nate  above,  and  canaliculate  on  the  superior  part  of  the 
whorls ;  the  spire  was  rather  low  and  pointed.  It  is  to  be 
regretted  that  any  accident  should  have  happened  to  it, 
as  it  is  the  only  specimen  of  a  cone  found  at  this  locality, 
to  my  knowledge. 


SUPPLEMENT. 

Read  before  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia, 
October  29, 1833. 


JFF.A.TJE  "VI 


175MITRA- 

17" 


minima 
tufcidts 
FlantngS. 

Hiiinli.'Uti'i 


•.it,  i 


,.,„/., 
.hicurva 
aiiuintea. 

patata 


.  pa 

r.i 


mcilit 


203  i.rsnrijTES    ,.OuelerU 

204  ORB-ITiVMTES    intfrsHti 

•!05 difttide. 

2O«  TUUJB1SOT.IA      MttOtrH 
XT,.     .  J'^tefM 


201  IfOXOVTTGMA  .Ililhftmietl.'U      1\ll  BCTJuA 
fi>:  l.i  xriJTIM        Kouti 


':';;,„,, 

'otkfivi 
Hpl&ata 


•Or,   MOHOPTYGMA 
•as  Bi'ttf   nf  n   l-'ifh    '' 
•39  'forth  iy'j  Fifh    ' 
420  Vertebra  jf  a  ffjh  ' 

•221    J/«'«r'     ljr''rt    /•»//       ' 

222  BAl-VSUS  /-'it i, -lit 

22?  MAC'THA. . 
•22*  ACXECW 
•2i>  mvrKi.u\ 

•::•'•  •  i  M  .- 


CLASS    POLYPI. 


FAMILY  MILLEPORAM1. 

GENUS  LUNULITES.     Lamarck. 

Lunulites  Bouei*     Plate  6.     Fig.  202. 

Description.  Lunulites  convex  and  cellular  above,  con- 
cave and  rugosely  radiate  below ;  cells  in  rows,  diverging 
from  the  apex ;  pores  very  minute,  being  placed  between 
the  lines  of  cells. 

Diam.  .3,  Height  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

The  segment  is  a  magnified  view. 

Observations.  This  species,  certainly,  very  closely  re- 
sembles the  urceolata  (Lamarck).  The  cells  of  that  spe- 
cies, as  figured  by  Goldfuss,  are  more  round  than  in  ours. 
I  had  observed,  by  the  aid  of  the  microscope,  that  each 
specimen,  at  the  apex,  was  possessed  of  a  grain  of  quartzose 
sand,  in  some  cases  covered  over.  On  examination,  I 
found  this  had  been  observed  by  Brogniart  and  Goldfuss,  to 
be  the  case  with  the  urceolata;  but  this  curious  fact  does  not 

*  Named  after  the  distinguished  geologist,  Dr  Boue, 


190  CONTRIBUTIONS 

seem  to  have  been  observed  by  Lamarck.  The  figure  of 
Brogniart*  is  much  more  elevated  and  rounded  at  the  apex 
than  our  species. 

L.  Duclosii.-\     Plate  6.     Fig.  203. 

Description.  Lunulites  slightly  convex  and  cellular 
above,  concave  and  radiate  below  ;  cells  in  rows  diverging 
from  the  apex  and  from  the  sides  of  other  rows  ;  pores  be- 
tween the  lines  of  cells  scarcely  perceptible. 

Diam.  .2,  Height  nearly  .1,  of  an  inch. 

The  segment  is  a  magnified  view. 

Observations.  Goldfuss  gives  a  large  figure  of  the  radi- 
ata  (Lamarck),  which  resembles  our  species.  In  the 
Duclosii,  however,  the  rows  of  cells  seem  disposed  to  form 
differently,  there  being  one  or  two  rows  which  are  longer 
than  the  others,  and  from  the  sides  of  which  others  again 
diverge.  I  do  not  observe  the  grain  of  sand  in  the  apex 
of  this  species  ;  having  but  one  or  two  specimens,  I  have 
not  destroyed  them  for  the  purpose  of  examination. 


I  am  not  aware  of  more  than  one  species  of  Lunulites 
having  been  observed  in  England.  The  urceolata  (Lam- 
arck) is  mentioned  by  Phillips  as  being  found  in  the  Chalk 
of  Yorkshire.  It  is  also  found  at  Grignon.  Two  species 
only  have,  I  believe,  heretofore  been  described,  radiata  and 

*  Desc.  Geolo.  des  Environs  de  Paris,  pi.  8,  fig.  9. 

i  Named  after  M.  Duclos,  a  distinguished  conchologist  of  Paris. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  101 

urceolata    (Lamarck).     The  genus  has  not  been  before 
observed  in  this  country,  to  my  knowledge. 


GENUS  ORBITOLITES.     Lamarck. 

O.  interstitia.     Plate  6.     Fig.  204 

Description.  Orbitolites  convex  and  cellular  above,  con- 
cave, papillary  and  minutely  porous  below  ;  cells  ovate  ; 
pores  above  interstitial ;  pores  below  very  numerous  and 
very  minute. 

Diam.  3-20ths,  Height  nearly  .1,  of  an  inch. 

The  segment  is  a  magnified  view. 

Observations.  This  is  a  beautiful  little  species,  and  re- 
sembles somewhat  in  form  the  Orbulites  lenticulata*  (Lam- 
arck). It  is  not,  however,  flat  beneath.  There  being 
no  description  of  the  pores,  I  cannot  say  if  they  differ  in 
this  character.  In  the  two  specimens  which  I  have  of 
this  species,  the  grain  of  sand  which  occurs  in  the  Lunu- 
lites  is  not  observable.  They  were  not,  however,  taken  to 
pieces  for  examination. 

*  Brogniart  makes  the  following  observations  in  referring  to  the 
figure  of  this  shell,  "  ce  nom  ayant  etc  deja  donne  par  M.  de  Lamarck 
a  une  coquille  de  la  famille  des  ammonites,  il  m'a  paru  convenable  de 
restituer  a  ce  polypier  celui  d'orbitolites  que  ce  memo  naturaliste  lui 
avoit  donne  precedemment,  et  qnr  atrra  ete  probablement  altere  par 
megarde."  Desc.  Geolo.  des  Environs  de  Paris,  p.  398. 


192  CONTRIBUTIONS 


O.  discoidea.     Plate  6.     Fig.  205. 

Description.  Orbitolites  cellular  and  very  slightly  con- 
vex above, — minutely  porous,  radiate  and  slightly  con- 
cave below ;  cells  hexagonal ;  pores  very  minute  and 
placed  between  the  radiating  strise. 

Diam.  .3,  Height  .1,  of  an  inch. 

The  segment  is  a  magnified  view. 

Observations-  This  species  differs  very  much  from  the 
above-  It  is  flatter  and  larger,  and  in  the  arrangement 
of  the  cells  and  pores  differs  altogether.  The  apex  of  my 
specimen  (the  only  one  I  have  seen)  is  disposed  to  be 
mammillary.  The  grain  of  sand  mentioned  in  the  Lunu- 
lites  is  not  observable  in  this  species. 


A  single  species  only  of  this  genus  seems  to  have  been 
observed  in  England.  M.  Mantell  in  his  Geology  of  Sus- 
sex, mentions  the  lenticulata  (Lamarck)  as  existing  in  the 
Chalk.  Lamarck  describes  six  species,  one  of  which  is 
recent.  The  macroptera  (Lamarck)  is  mentioned  by 
Goldfuss,  who  describes  this  species  as  being  found  only 
in  the  Calcaire  Grossiere  of  Paris.  In  this  country  the 
genus  has  not  been  before  observed. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  193 


FAMILY  LAMELLIFERJE. 

GENUS  TURBINOLIA.   (Lamarck.) 

T.  Madurii*     Plate  6.     Fig.  206. 

Description.  Turbinolia  cuneate,  minutely  granulate, 
without  ribs  or  furrows,  swollen,  furnished  with  two  longi- 
tudinal tubercles  on  each  side,  on  the  superior  part ;  base 
rounded  ;  star  subelliptical ;  pores  very  minute  and  irregu- 
larly interspersed  among  the  granules  ;  lamellae  granulate. 
Diam.  .6,  Length  .8,  Breadth  .9,  of  an  inch. 

The  segment  is  a  magnified  view. 

Observations.  This  very  curious  species  differs  in  its 
exterior  characters  from  any  other  I  am  acquainted  with. 
It  has  no  longitudinal  striae,  which  all  the  other  known 
species  have.  No  other  described  species  has  longitudinal 
tubercles  like  this.  The  granules  are  very  small  and 
sometimes  form  together.  In  several  specimens  four  to 
eight  smaller  tubercles,  or  rather  ribs,  as  they  are  elon- 
gated, may  be  observed  on  each  side,  but  these  are  not 
specifically  different.  The  superior  part  appears  to  be 
very  fragile,  there  not  being  among  a  great  number  a 
single  one  entirely  perfect  in  that  part. 

*  Named  after  the  distinguished  geologist,  William  M'Clure,  Presi- 
dent of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia. 
z 


194  CONTRIBUTIONS 


T.  Stokesii*     Plate  6.     Fig.  207. 

Description.  Turbinolia  cuneate,  granulate,  with  twenty- 
four  longitudinal  furrows ;  furrows  on  each  side  ten,  two 
of  which  are  incurved  and  extend  nearly  to  the  base — on 
each  edge  two,  slightly  curved  and  extending  nearly  to 
the  base ;  base  emarginate ;  star  elliptical ;  lamellae  rugose. 

Diam.  5-20ths,        Length  7-20ths,        Breadth  7-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

The  segment  is  a  magnified  view. 

Observations.  This  is  a  beautiful  species,  resembling 
very  slightly  in  outline  the  T.  crispa^  (Lamarck).  It  is, 
however,  more  cuneate,  and  the  situation  of  the  furrows 
is  different.  The  furrows  on  the  sides  of  the  Stokesii 
are  marked,"  and  from  the  edge  of  the  star  converge  nearly 
to  a  point  below  the  centre  on  each  side.  Anxious  to  dis- 
cover if  any  of  the  Turbinolm  possessed  the  same  character 
with  some  of  the  Lunulites,  (the  enclosing  in  the  calcare- 
ous matter  a  grain  of  sand  as  a  point  of  commencement 
of  growth,  or  as  a  balance)  I  first  opened  specimens 
of  the  Maclurii  without  success  ;  then  specimens  of  the 
Stokesii  and  Goldfussii,  in  both  of  which  the  grain  was 
found  ;  several  pharetra  were  next  examined,  but  in  none 
was  it  to  be  seen.  Having  but  a  single  specimen  of  the 
nana,  I  could  not  submit  it  to  an  examination. 


*  I  have  placed  on  this  species  the  name  of  the  late  secretary  of  the 
Geological  Society  of  London,  distinguished  for  his  activity  in  promot- 
ing the  knowledge  of  natural  science. 

t  See  Goldfuss,  vol.  1,  p.  15,  fig.  7. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  195 


T.  Goldfussii*     Plate  6.     Fig.  208. 

Description.  Turbinolia  cuneate,  granulate,  with  twenty- 
four  longitudinal  furrows ;  furrows  on  each  side  ten,  con- 
verging towards  a  point  near  to  the  middle  of  the  base — on 
each  edge  two,  slightly  curved  and  extending  nearly  to  the 
base  ;  base  nearly  straight,  star  elliptical ;  lamellae  rugose. 

Diam.  3-20ths,  Length  5-20ths,  Breadth  .2,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  closely  resembles  the  last. 
The  furrows  are  not,  however,  so  marked,  and  the  two 
curved  ones  are  replaced  here  by  two  which  converge  like 
the  enclosed  eight.  It  is  not  quite  so  broad,  and  the  base 
is  more  disposed  to  be  round  than  emarginate.  It  seems 
generally  to  be  rather  smaller  in  size.  In  outline  as  well 
as  in  the  furrows  there  is  a  greater  resemblance  between 
the  Goldfussii  and  the  crispa,  than  there  is  between  the 
Stokesii  and  crispa.  There  being  no  difference  between 
the  granulation  of  the  Stokesii  and  this  species,  it  is  not 
considered  necessary  to  make  an  enlarged  view  of  them. 

T.  nana.     Plate  6.     Fig.  209. 

Description.  Turbinolia  subcuneate,  longitudinally  rib- 
bed ;  furrows  apparently  without  perforations  ;  ribs  twenty- 
four,  about  sixteen  of  which  descend  to  the  base,  where 
they  are  wrinkled  ;  star  elliptical ;  style  apparently  none. 

Diam.  l-20th,          Length  .1,          Breadth  over  l-20th,  of  an  inch. 

*  Named  after  Dr  Goldfuss,  the  author  of  the  admirable  work  "  Petre- 
facten,''  &c. 


196  CONTRIBUTIONS 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  A  single  specimen  only  of  this  minute 
species  came  into  my  possession.  It  most  strongly  resem- 
bles the  pharetra,  herein  described.  It  may  be  distinguished 
by  its  diminutive  size,  its  flattened  sides,  its  ribs  and  base. 
With  a  microscope  of  considerable  power,  it  was  not  possi- 
ble to  discover  any  pores,  which,  I  strongly  suspect,  exist 
between  the  ribs.  In  this  specimen  there  is  no  style,  and 
it  may  be  doubted  if  it  ever  exist  in  this  species. 

T.pharetra.     Plate  6.     Fig.  210. 

Description.  Turbinolia  clavate,  longitudinally  ribbed ; 
furrows  with  a  double  row  of  minute  perforations ;  ribs 
twenty-four,  six  of  which  terminate  at  a  point  on  the  cen- 
tre of  the  base ;  six  others  terminate  between  these,  higher 
up  ;  these  twelve  being  enlarged  at  the  base,  the  remain- 
ing twelve,  alternating,  terminate  above  these  again  ;  star 
round  ;  style  rather  elevated,  with  six  radii. 

Diam.  .1,  Length  .3,  of  an  inch. 

The  superior  view  shows  the  stella  of  the  style. 

The  segment  is  a  magnified  view. 

Observations.  In  its  form,  this  species  has  an  almost 
perfect  resemblance  to  the  sulcata  (Lamarck).  It  differs 
in  the  arrangement  of  the  ribs,  and  judging  from  the  figure 
of  Goldfuss  (pi.  15,  fig.  3),  I  should  suppose  it  to  differ  in 
the  style  also.  The  minute  pores  which  exist  in  our  spe- 
cies do  not  appear  to  be  in  the  sulcata ;  at  least  they  are 
not  noticed  by  Lamarck  or  Goldfuss.  Brogniart's  figure* 

*  Desc.  Geolog.  des  Environs  de  Paris,  pi.  8,  fig.  3. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  197 

is  much  better  than  that  of  Goldfuss,  and  apparently  has 
pores.* 


The  genus  Turbinolia  seems  to  be  more  diffused  through- 
out the  different  Formations  than  any  other  of  the  Polypi. 
In  Great  Britain  it  has  been  observed  in  the  Mountain 
Limestone,  Coral  Rag,  Gault,  London  Clay  and  Crag. 
Lamarck  describes  eight  species,  and  Goldfuss  nine,  six  of 
which  are  new. 

I  am  not  aware  that  any  have  before  been  observed  in 
our  Formations. 

Nucula  magna.    Plate  6.     Fig.  211. 

Description.  It  is  ventured  to  place  this  name  upon  the 
fragment  of  a  Nucula,  which  differs  on  the  exterior,  very 

*  Since  the  above  was  written,  I  have  had  the  advantage  of  examin- 
ing several  specimens  of  the  crispa  and  sulcata,  in  the  fine  collection  of 
P.  A.  Brown,  Esq.,  who  has  recently  received,  from  M.  Alexander 
Brogniart,  most  of  the  Tertiary  fossils  from  the  Paris  basin. 

These  specimens  of  the  sulcata  were  observed  with  the  same  micro- 
scope to  which  those  of  the  pharetra  were  submitted,  and  pores,  similar 
to  those  described  above,  were  distinctly  observable.  This  character 
seems  to  have  escaped  Goldfuss,  as  well  as  Lamarck,  and  I  do  not  know 
that  it  has  been  before  observed  by  others.  The  relative  position  of  the 
ribs  of  the  two  species  are  very  similar.  In  the  sulcata  they  seem  to  be 
more  lamellar,  and  in  the  lower  part  are,  in  the  two  specimens  exa- 
mined by  me  in  Mr  Brown's  cabinet,  somewhat  crenulate,  which  is  not  in 
the  least  the  character  of  the  pharetra.  In  the  crispa  there  are  no  pores ; 
in  this  character  it  agrees  with  our  Maclurii,  Stokesii,  and  Goldfussii;  and 
I  would  propose  that  the  genus  should  be  divided  into  two  sections,  one 
with  exterior  pores,  the  other  without. 


198  CONTRIBUTIONS 

much,  from  any  species,  fossil  or  recent,  which  has  come 
under  my  notice.  It  possesses  transverse  folds  on  the  sides, 
which  lie  closely  to,  and  are  beautifully  parallel  to  each 
other.  These  terminate  in  a  smooth  plane,  on  the  umbonial 
slope,  which  is  flattened.  A  straight  furrow,  or  channel, 
passes  along  the  posterior  dorsal  margin,  in  which  are  striae, 
slightly  oblique.  The  posterior  series  of  teeth,  as  far  as  it 
exists  in  this  fragment,  is  straight,  and  possesses  nineteen 
angular  teeth.  From  the  appearance  of  this  part  of  the 
series,  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  it  possessed  almost  as 
many  more.  The  substance  of  the  shell  is  thick,  and  it  is 
suspected,  that  when  found  perfect,  it  will  prove  to  be  the 
largest  species  yet  described.  This  fragment  certainly 
warrants  such  a  conclusion. 

JV*.  carinifera.     Plate  6.     Fig.  212. 

Description.  Shell  triangular,  inflated,  deeply  truncate 
behind,  minutely  and  concentrically  striate,  furnished  with 
an  elevated  sharp  carina  on  the  umbonial  slope  ;  substance 
of  the  shell  thick ;  lunule  cordate ;  beak  high,  incurved 
and  recurved ;  posterior  slope  irregularly  flattened,  nearly 
circular,  and  furnished  with  indistinct  longitudinal  and 
transverse  striae  ;  anterior  series  of  teeth  short,  consisting  of 
five  teeth,  and  forming  a  sharp  angle  with  the  posterior 
series  ;  teeth  rather  large,  angular  ;  fosset  placed  above  the 
teeth,  at  the  point  of  the  beak ;  nacre  not  pearly. 

Diam Length  ....  Breadth  .... 

The  lower  figure  represents  the  posterior  slope. 
Observations.     It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  description 


TO  GEOLOGY.  199 

of  this  curious  and  interesting  species,  has  to  be  made  from 
a  single  imperfect  valve.  It  is  eminently  distinguished  by 
its  carina  and  broad  posterior  slope,  from  all  the  species 
described  in  this  memoir.  It  has  some  resemblance  to 
Sowerby's  figure  of  deltoidea  ;  and  Lamarck's  description 
of  that  shell,  which  is  from  Grignon,  answers,  in  most  of 
its  characters,  to  ours.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  pos- 
terior series  of  teeth  should  have  been  so  much  fractured 
as  to  present  only  two  teeth  ;  these  are  the  superior  ones. 

N.plana.     Plate  6.     Fig.  213. 

Description.  Shell  an  obtuse  triangle,  very  transverse, 
very  much  compressed,  concentrically  striate,  and  trans- 
versely folded  on  the  side,  sulcate  on  the  umbonial  slope  ; 
substance  of  the  shell  thin ;  beaks  obtusely  angular, 
pointed  ;  lunule  and  escutcheon  both  nearly  linear  ;  ante- 
rior series  of  teeth  straight ;  posterior  series  of  teeth  in- 
curved ;  teeth  small,  numerous,  angular ;  fosset  large, 
subtriangular ;  cicatrices  imperceptible  ;  cavity  of  the  shell 
very  flat,  showing  the  transverse  folds  ;  nacre  not  pearly. 

Diam Length  ....  Breadth  .... 

Observations.  A  single  and  imperfect  valve  only  of  this 
species  has  come  under  my  notice.  There  are,  however, 
characters  enough  remaining,  to  satisfy  me  of  its  being 
different  from  those  before  described.  It  most  resembles 
the  pulcherrima.*  That  shell  has  not,  however,  the  re- 
markable folds  and  striae  of  this  species.  These  striae,  on 

*  See  page  84. 


200  CONTRIBUTIONS 

the  anterior  part,  are  combined,  two  or  three  together, 
leaving  a  furrow  between  each  association.  On  the  pos- 
terior part,  these  striae  are  single,  but  disordered  by  the 
transverse  folds,  which  exist  only  on  that  part  of  the  valve. 

JV.  semen.     Plate  6.     Fig.  214. 

Description.  Shell  transversely  elliptical,  rather  inflated, 
furnished  with  large  concentric  folds  and  with  a  deep  fur- 
row on  the  anterior  slope,  rostrate  behind ;  substance  of 
the  shell  rather  thin  ;  lunule  and  escutcheon  both  lanceo- 
late ;  beaks  small,  rather  pointed ;  margin  entire ;  nacre 
not  pearly. 

Diam.  l-20th,  Length  .1,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  A  single  specimen  only  of  this  species 
has  come  under  my  notice.  It  consists  of  the  two  valves 
attached.  I  endeavoured  to  separate  the  valves  to  ex- 
amine the  teeth,  but  with  the  greatest  precaution  was 
unable  to  effect  it,  one  of  the  valves  becoming  fractured  ; 
therefore,  the  teeth  are  not  mentioned  in  the  description. 
This  is  a  very  minute  species,  remarkable  for  its  large 
concentric  folds  and  the  deep  furrow  on  the  posterior  slope. 
It  has  some  resemblance  to  the  mucronata  of  Sowerby, 
Min.  Conch.,  pi.  476. 

Bulla  Dekayi*    Plate  6.     Fig.  215. 
Description.      Shell    subfusiform,    transversely  striate 
*  Named  after  my  friend  Dr  Dekay  of  New  York. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  201 

above  and  below  ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin  ;  spire  um- 
bilicate ;    whorls   compressed   above ;    columella  twisted 
and  reflected  at  the  base  ;  mouth  linear,  curved,  extending 
above  the  spire  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 
Length  7-20ths,  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  species  might  at  first  view  be  taken 
for  the  St  Hillairii,  but  may,  on  examination,  be  readily 
distinguished  by  its  conical  top.  I  have  found  it  much 
rarer  in  this  deposit,  having  been  able  to  obtain  but  three 
specimens,  while  the  other  exists  in  great  numbers.  It  is 
not  cylindrical,  like  that  species,  but  rather  disposed  to  be 
conical  above.  They  also  differ  in  the  base. 

Marginella  biplicata.     Plate  6.     Fig.  216. 

Description.  Shell  pyramidal,  transversely  striate, 
emarginate  at  base ;  substance  of  the  shell  thick ;  spire 
elevated,  pointed  ;  whorls  four,  rounded  ;  columella  with 
two  large  folds ;  mouth  small ;  outer  lip  very  thick  and 
minutely  crenulate  within. 

Length  over  .1,  Breadth  .J,  of  an  inch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  On  the  superior  part  of  the  whorl  the 
absence  of  a  stria  makes  rather  a  broad  band,  above  which 
is  a  single  stria  only.  This  is  near  the  suture,  and  on  the 
superior  whorls  it  is  the  only  one  visible.  With  a  good 
deal  of  hesitation  I  have  placed  this  minute  shell  with  the 
Marginella.  Its  elevated  spire  and  emarginate  base 
would  seem  almost  to  forbid  its  being  placed  with  them. 
2  A 


202  CONTRIBUTIONS 

It  has  some  of  the  generic  characters  of  the  Pyramidella, 
but  the  varix  and  crenulated  inner  edge  would  not  permit 
its  being  placed  in  that  genus.  In  some  characters  it  resem- 
bles a  Cassis,  particularly  in  the  lip  and  emargination,  but 
the  genus  Cassis  is  without  folds  on  the  columella.  On 
comparing  the  biplicata  with  M.  Deshayes's  figure  of 
•Auricula  ringens*  (Lamarck),  I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying 
that  the  two  species  are  very  much  alike,  and  belong  to 
the  same  genus  ;  but  I  cannot  see  the  propriety  of  placing 
them  with  the  Auricula,  these  being  as  expressly  stated  by 
Lamarck  "  land  shells."!  Another  objection  may  be  men- 
tioned, that  of  their  both  having  a  deep  emargination  at 
the  base.  Lamarck  says,  in  his  generic  description,  "  basi 
integerrima."  Our  species  differs  from  the  ringens,  in 
having  a  more  elevated  spire,  in  having  a  band  on  the 
superior  part,  and  in  the  number  of  folds.  M.  Deshayes's 
figure  presents  three  distinct  folds,  while  the  description 
says  "  biplicata."  Lamarck,  in  his  description  of  this  part, 
says  "  subtriplicata."  The  observations  of  Lamarck  on 
the  ringens,  apply  to  the  biplicata,  "Petite  coquille  fort 
singuliere,  qui  est  tres-voisine  par  ses  rapports  de  notre 
tornatelle  pietin."  The  pietin  is  now  a  received  genus 
under  the  name  of  Pedipes  (Adanson),  and  it  occurred  to 
me  before  I  saw  Lamarck's  observations,  whether  it  might 
not  be  placed  there,  to  which,  however,  there  are  ob- 
jections. 

*  Coquilles  Fossiles,  pi.  8,  figs.  16  and  17. 

t  Ainsi  le  genre  dont  il  est  ici  question  ne  comprend  que  des  coquilles 
terrestres.    An.  Sans  Vertebres,  vol.  6,  pt.  2,  page  137. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  203 


Monoptygma  elegans.     Plate  6.     Fig.  217. 

Description.  Shell  ovately  elliptical,  transversely  and 
closely  furrowed  ;  furrows  closely  set  with  punctures  ; 
substance  of  the  shell  thin  ;  spire ;  columella  furnish- 
ed with  rather  a  small  oblique  fold;  mouth  elliptical, 
effuse  at  base  ;  outer  lip  sharp. 
Length  ....  Breadth  3-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  This  very  interesting  shell,  in  its  general 
form,  does  not  very  closely  resemble  the  M.  Jllabamiensis* 
(nobis)  ;  the  single  fold  on  the  columella  alone,  would 
cause  them  to  be  recognized  as  the  same  genus.  In  the 
elegans  the  numerous  punctured  striae  resemble  closely  the 
Jlcteon  punctatus-\  (nobis).  Having  but  a  single  specimen, 
the  superior  whorls  of  which  are  deficient,  the  description 
has  to  be  necessarily  defective. 


The  Eocene  of  Claiborne,  like  the  London  Clay  of 
England,  has  presented  remains  of  other  classes  than  the 
Conchifera  and  Mollusca.  In  the  sand  was  found  a  part  of 
the  pincer  of  a  Cancer — two  small  vertebrae,  probably  of  a 
fish — a  stony  substance  resembling  a  section  of  what 
Brander  figures  under  the  name  of  Palatium  Piscium\— a 
stony  substance, somewhat  resembling  in  form  the  elliptical 
bone,  found  in  the  head  of  fish — teeth  of  sharks  of  several 
different  species — the  spine  of  a  fish,  and  a  curious  tooth 

*  See  page  186.  t  See  page  11 1 

t  Fossilia  Hantoniensia,  pi.  9,  fig.  117. 


204  CONTRIBUTIONS 

strongly  resembling  some  of  the  smaller  Saurians,   but 
which  probably  belonged  to  a  fish. 

Plate  6.     Fig.  218. 

Description.  This  figure  represents  one  of  the  fossils  men- 
tioned above.  It  resembles  the  bone  found  in  the  head  of 
fish.  It  is  subelliptical,  curved — on  the  inferior  part  irregu- 
larly impressed — on  the  superior  part  smooth  with  a  rather 
irregular  longitudinal  impression  like  a  tulip  having  a 
curved  stem.  In  some  specimens  this  is  very  perceptible,  in 
others  it  is  obsolete.  Two  specimens  were  found  in  some 
sand  from  the  Older  Pliocene  of  Maryland,  at  St  Mary's. 

Plate  6.     Fig.  219. 

Two  views,  front  and  lateral. 

These  figures  represent  the  tooth  mentioned  above. 
A  single  specimen  only  was  obtained.  Considering  it 
of  much  importance  in  the  history  of  the  stratum,  it  was 
submitted  to  the  examination  of  my  friend  Dr  Hays, 
whose  experience  in  this  branch  of  Natural  History  is 
so  advantageously  known.  His  note,  embracing  also 
observations  on  two  other  specimens  of  organic  remains, 
which  accompanied  it,  will  be  found  below.* 

*  My  Dear  Sir, — I  have  examined  the  fossils  you  were  so  kind  as  to 
send  me,  with  as  much  attention  as  my  pressing  avocations  would  per- 
mit. 

1.  The  tooth  appears  to  be  that  of  a  fish,  but  I  am  unable  to  determine 
the  species;  probably  it  belongs  to  an  undescribed  one.  Its  crown  is 
lanceolate,  projects  laterally,  slightly  beyond  the  body,  and  the  enamel 


TO    GEOLOGY.  205 


Plate  6.     Fig.  220. 

Description.  This  is  rather  the  longer  of  the  two  ver- 
tebrae, which  probably  belong  to  some  species  of  fish. 
Though  somewhat  different  in  proportions,  they  most 
likely  belong  to  the  same  species. 

Plate  6.     Fig.  221. 

Description.  This  represents  the  spine  mentioned  above  ; 
a  single  specimen  only  was  obtained. 

descends  lower  at  the  sides,  than  in  the  centre.     The  edges  are  perfectly 
smooth. 

The  root  of  the  tooth  is  single,  and  remarkably  large  j  it  gradually  in- 
creases in  size,  from  the  neck  downwards;  it  is  partly  hollow;  its  exte- 
rior aspect  is  convex,  in  both  directions.  Its  total  length  is  five  twen- 
tieths of  an  inch,  its  breadth,  at  the  base  of  the  crown,  one  tenth  of  an 
inch. 

2.  The  two  vertebrae  appear  also  to  appertain  to  some  minute  species 
of  fish.     They  each  consist  of  two  hollow  cones,  united  at  their  apices, 
and  with  slender  and  irregular  longitudinal  ridges.     One  of  them  is  three 
twentieths  of  an  inch  long,  and  one  tenth  in  diameter.     The  other  is 
one  tenth  of  an  inch  long,  and  one  tenth  in  diameter. 

3.  The  spine  resembles,  exceedingly,  the  spines  found  on  the  tail  and 
back  of  some  of  our  species  of  Ray,  (the  Raia  Desmarestia,  Lesueur,for 
instance).     It  is  discoidal  at  base,  and  its  point  rises  rather  obliquely. 

I  am  very  truly  yours,  &c. 

ISAAC  HAYS. 
Sansom  and  Eighth  streets,  October  1, 1833. 


NOTE. 

Not  having  had  the  advantage  of  examining  M.  De- 
shayes's  admirable  work  on  the  fossil  shells  of  the  Paris 
basin,  until  after  a  part  of  the  foregoing  descriptions  were 
printed  off,  it  has,  necessarily,  been  out  of  my  power  to 
make  any  comparisons  with  his  species.  The  following 
seem  important  enough  to  be  introduced  here. 

Pasithea  umbilicata  (nobis),  page  103,  resembles  M.  De- 
shayes's  figure  (Coquilles  Fossiles,  pi.  9,  figs.  1  and  2,) 
of  Lamarck's  Bulimus  terebellatus. 

All  the  species  figured  by  M.  Deshayes  as  Melanice,  in 
pi.  13,  vol.  2d.,  and  part  of  those  of  pi.  14,  belong  to  the 
genus  Pasithea  (nobis).  It  must  be  evident,  to  every  geolo- 
gist, that  the  division  of  fresh  water  and  marine  shells,  is  all 
important,  involving  facts  of  the  highest  interest,  as  re- 
gards alternate  strata,  such  as  exist  in  the  Paris  basin. 
If  we  do  not  make  the  breathing  of  salt  and  fresh  water  a 
sufficient  character,  as  well  as  that  of  breathing  air,  for 
generic  distinction,  we  cut  ourselves  off  from  the  use  of  a 
most  valuable  characteristic,  to  designate  the  strata  of 
groups,  see  p.  99. 

Venericardia  rotundata  (nobis),  resembles  V.  squamosa, 
of  Lamarck,  as  figured  by  M.  Deshayes,  pi.  26,  figs.  9 
and  11. 


208  CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  GEOLOGY. 

Pectunculus  obliqua  (nobis),  resembles  P.  nanus  of  M. 
Deshayes,  pi.  36,  figs.  4  and  5. 

Ostrea  divaricata  (nobis),  resembles  O.  flabellula  of 
Lamarck,  as  figured  by  M.  Deshayes,  pi.  63,  figs.  6  and  7. 

Solen  Blainvillii  (nobis),  resembles  Solen  effusus  of  Lam- 
arck, as  figured  by  M.  Deshayes,  pi.  11,  figs.  24  and  25. 


NEW  TERTIARY  FOSSIL  SHELLS, 

FROM 

MARYLAND  AND  NEW  JERSEY. 
Read  before  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  Nov.  1,  1833. 


Description   of  six  new  species  of  Fossil  Shells  from  the 
Tertiary  of  Maryland  and  New  Jersey. 


THE  shells  here  described,  are  from  that  part  of  the  Ter- 
tiary mass  called  by  Mr  Lyell  the  older  Pliocene  Period. 
They  are  presumed  to  be  new,  and  their  descriptions  are 
presented  as  a  small  contribution  towards  the  elucidation 
of  that  part  of  our  Geology. 

BALANUS.     Bruguiere. 

Balanus  Finchii.*     Plate  6.     Fig.  222. 

Description.  Shell  short,  conico-cylindrical,  smooth, 
nearly  erect ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thick ;  aper- 
ture nearly  square ;  valves  rather  pointed  above. 

Length  5-20ths,  Breadth  .3,  of  an  inch. 

St  Mary's,  Maryland.    John  Finch. 

Observations.  Although  this  shell  has  no  striking 
character,  it  cannot  be  placed  with  any  species  I  am 
acquainted  with.  I  am  under  obligations  to  Mr  Finch, 
for  this  and  many  other  species  from  St  Mary's.  He  very 
kindly  placed  them  in  my  cabinet,  shortly  after  his  return 

*  Named  after  the  geologist  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  the  specimen. 


212  CONTRIBUTIONS 

from  the  examination  of  that  celebrated  deposit,  about 
nine  years  since. . 


In  Great  Britain  three  species  of  Balanus  have  been 
observed,  all  in  the  Crag.  I  am  not  aware  that  any 
species  of  this  genus  has  been  before  described  from  our 
Formations. 


MACTRA.     Linnceus. 

M.  clathrodon.     Plate  6.     Fig.  223. 

Description.  Shell  subtriangular,  thin,  inequilateral, 
obscurely  and  transversely  striate  ;  beaks  somewhat  point- 
ed ;  lateral  teeth  crossed  by  equidistant  minute  strise ; 
excavation  of  the  palleal  impression  small  and  rounded  ; 
anterior  and  posterior  cicatrices  scarcely  visible  ;  cavity  of 
the  shell  somewhat  deep  ;  cavity  of  the  beaks  rather  deep. 
Diam.  .2,  Length  5-20ths,  Breadth  7-20ths,  of  an  inch. 

St  Mary's,  Maryland.     John  Finch. 

Deal,  New  Jersey.* 

Observations.  In  outline  this  species  is  somewhat  like 
M .  Grayi  (nobis),  but  differs  greatly  in  solidity.  It  has 
some  resemblance  to  the  lateralis^  (Say),  differing,  how- 

*  It  is  with  some  hesitation  that  I  give  this  locality.  The  specimens  are 
in  my  cabinet,  labeled  with  this  locality,  but  I  cannot  recollect  on  whose 
authority. 

t  A  recent  species.  Journal  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences,  vol. 
2,  p.  309. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  213 

ever,  in  being  less  angular,  less  ventricose,  in  being  with- 
out the  flattened  posterior  slope,  and  in  having  striated 
lateral  teeth. 


ACTEON.    Montfort. 

A.  Wetherilli*     Plate  6.     Fig.  224. 

Description.  Shell  cylindrical,  truncate  above,  smooth  ; 
substance  of  the  shell  somewhat  thick  ;  spire  short  and 
truncate  ;  suture  impressed ;  columella  with  one  fold ; 
whorls  four  ;  mouth  narrow,  about  four  fifths  the  length 
of  the  shell ;  outer  lip  simple. 
Length  nearly  .2,  Breadth  .1,  of  an  inch. 

Deal,  New  Jersey. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  I  have  seen  no  species  of  this  genus  with 
whorls  so  compressed  as  this.  Its  short  spire,  together 
with  this  character,  give  it  the  appearance  of  a  Volvaria. 
It  differs  from  any  species  with  which  I  am  acquainted,  in 
having  a  shorter  spire,  and  a  longer  mouth. 

*  Named  after  my  friend  J.  Price  WetherilL 


214  CONTRIBUTIONS 


ROTELLA.     Lamarck. 

R.  nana.     Plate  6.     Fig.  225. 

Description.  Shell  orbicular,  flattened  above,  smooth, 
margin  rounded  ;  substance  of  the  shell  rather  thin  ;  spire 
nearly  concealed  ;  outer  lip  sharp  ;  callus  impressed  in  the 
centre,  bounded  by  a  fine  impressed  line ;  mouth  nearly 
round. 

Length  l-20th,  Breadth  nearly  .1,  of  an  inch. 

St  Mary's,  Maryland.     John  Finch. 

The  smallest  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  This  very  minute  Rotella  is  very  much 
flattened  above,  and  the  last  whorl  nearly  covers  over  the 
spire.  The  number  of  whorls  is  doubtful ;  perhaps  they 
do  not  exceed  three.  The  margin  is  rounder  than  usual 
in  this  genus.  A  single  specimen  only  has  been  observed 
by  me,  and  this  was  discovered  in  the  sand,  taken  from  the 
cavity  of  a  larger  shell. 


I  am  not  aware  that  the  genus  Rotella  has  before  been 
observed  in  a  fossil  state,  in  this  country  or  in  Europe. 
M.  Deshayes  gives  in  his  Tertiary  Tables  four  recent  spe- 
cies, but  none  fossil. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  215 


GENUS  PUSUS.    Lamarck. 

Fusus  pumilus.     Plate  6.     Fig.  226. 

Description.     Shell  ovately  fusiform,  longitudinally  rib- 
bed ;  substance  of  the  shell  thin ;  spire  rather  obtuse ; 
suture  impressed  ;  whorls  four,  slightly  convex  ;  columella 
slightly  twisted  ;  canal  short ;  mouth  narrow. 
Length  .1,  Breadth  l-20th,  of  an  inch. 

St  Mary's,  Maryland.     John  Finch. 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Observations.  Three  specimens  of  this  very  minute  spe- 
cies were  found  in  the  sand,  taken  from  the  cavity  of  a 
larger  shell.  The  description  of  the  jP.  minutus  of  Lam- 
arck, from  Grignon,  seems  to  answer  closely  to  our  species, 
but  the  latter  has  no  transverse  striae. 


GENUS  MILIOLA.     Lamarck. 

M.  Marylandica.     Plate  6.     Fig.  227. 

Description.     Shell  elliptical,  depressed  in  the  middle, 
rounded  at  the  edges,  lobes  in  contact ;  mouth  small,  round, 
terminal,  furnished  with  a  large  tooth. 
Length  l-20th,  Breadth  nearly  l-20th,  of  an  inch. 

St  Mary's,  Maryland.     John  Finch. 
The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 


216  CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  GEOLOGY. 

Observations.  This  species  was  obtained  from  the  sand 
removed  from  the  cavity  of  a  large  shell.  In  some  of  its 
characters,  it  answers  the  description  of  the  planulata  (Lam- 
arck). It  differs  from  the  saxorum  of  Blainville,  in  having 
the  lobes  in  contact,  and  in  having  the  mouth  terminal. 
In  his  figure  it  appears  to  be  lateral.  The  most  striking 
character  of  our  species  seems  to  be,  that  it  possesses  a 
large  tooth,  which  partly  fills  the  aperture.  This,  I  be- 
lieve, has  not  been  before  observed  in  any  described 
species. 


Lamarck  describes  four  fossil  species ;  three  are  from 
Grignon,  and  one  from  Louvres,  near  Paris.  It  has  not 
before  been  observed,  I  believe,  in  this  country. 


NEW  GENUS  OF  FOSSIL  SHELL, 


FROM 


NEW  JERSEY. 
Read  before  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  Nov.  1,  1833. 


Description  of  a  new  genus  of  the  Family  SPHERULACEA  of 
Blainville,  from  the  Cretaceous  deposit  of  Timber  Creek, 
New  Jersey. 


GENUS  PALMULA.     (nobis.) 

Description.  Shell  palmate,  with  angular  striae,  which 
indicate  the  interior  chambers ;  aperture  terminal. 

Observations.  Two  specimens  of  the  shell  on  which  I 
propose  to  found  this  genus,  were  found  by  me,  about  four 
years  since,  in  the  Cretaceous  deposit  of  Timber  Creek, 
New  Jersey.  In  its  characters  it  approximates  most 
closely  to  the  genus  Saracenaria*  of  Defrance.  The  oval 
form,  the  possession  of  a  carina,  and  the  absence  of  an 
aperture  in  that  genus,  prohibit  our  shell  being  placed 
with  it.  The  Palmula  also  resembles  the  genus  Textularia 
of  the  same  author,  and  might,  perhaps,  with  propriety  be 
placed  between  these  two  genera. 

P.  sagittaria.     Plate  6.     Fig.  228, 

The  smaller  figure  is  of  the  size  of  nature. 

Description.     Shell  depressed,  sagittate,  rounded  on  the 

*  See  Manuel  de  Matacologie,  p.  370. 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO    GEOLOGY. 

edges,  with  about   six  angular  striae,  which  indicate  the 
interior  chambers  ;  mouth  terminal,  oval,  sublabiate. 

Diam.  l-20th,  Length  .2,  Breadth  .1,  of  an  inch. 

Observations.  The  two  specimens  differ  somewhat  in 
outline,  the  larger  one  being  more  elliptical.  In  both, 
the  angular  striss  become  obsolete  at  the  base,  being  most 
distinct  on  the  superior  part. 


TUFACEOUS   LACUSTRINE  FORMATION 


OF 


SYRACUSE,  ONONDAGA  COUNTY,  N.  Y. 

Read  before  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  Nov.  1,  1833. 


Tufaceous   Lacustrine  Formation  of    Syracuse,    Onondaga 
County,  JVew  York. 


MY  attention  was  attracted,  some  years  since,  on  my 
way  to  Niagara,  when  passing  through  the  canal,  which 
cuts  the  district  of  country  a  few  miles  east  of  Syracuse, 
in  the  state  of  New  York,  by  a  level  area  of  some  miles  in 
extent.  On  descending  from  the  boat  at  the  locks,  I 
found  the  substratum,  which  lined  the  side  of  the  canal, 
to  consist  of  a  calcareous  marl  of  a  whitish  colour,  border- 
ing on  that  of  ashes,  friable,  and  rather  soft  to  the  touch.* 
Numerous  perfect  specimens  of  the  genera  Lymnea,  Physa, 
Planorbis,  Paludina  and  Jlncylus  were  obtained,  all  being 
analagous  to  the  species  inhabiting,  at  this  time,  the  fresh 
waters  of  that  region  :  it  was  evident  that  the  deposit  was 
caused  by  the  drainage  of  a  lake.  The  specimens  were 
found  to  be  completely  bleached,  and  were  generally  in  an 
unbroken  state.  It  has  been  a  matter  of  regret  to  me,  that 
circumstances  did  not  permit  me  to  make  a  more  minute 
investigation  of  this  interesting  deposit,  which  must  be 
considered  as  a  true  tufaceous  lacustrine  deposit.  I  crossed 
it  on  a  line,  east  and  west,  of  about  two  miles,  but  its 
width  and  depth  I  could  not  ascertain. 

*  A  subsequent  analysis,  by  Professor  Vanuxem,  proved  it  to  be  nearly 
pure  carbonate  of  lirne. 


224  CONTRIBUTIONS 

Near  Chitteningo,  fifteen  miles  east  of  Syracuse,  I  ob- 
served, on  my  return,  a  deposit  of  the  same  kind,  and  it 
then  occurred  to  me,  it  might  be  an  extremity,  or  branch, 
of  that  of  Syracuse.  The  fact,  however,  of  the  streams 
which  pass  these  two  villages,  emptying  themselves,  the 
one  into  Onondaga  Lake,  the  other  into  Oneida  Lake, 
points  to  the  probability  of  their  being  two  distinct  deposits. 

The  chief  object  in  throwing  my  notes  together,  and 
making  these  observations,  is  the  hope  of  inducing  some 
naturalist,  who  has  more  time,  and  may  not  be  so  far 
removed  from  the  spot,  to  devote  some  attention  to  ob- 
taining all  the  species  which  may  be  there  deposited,  and 
to  ascertain,  with  some  degree  of  precision,  its  extent.  I 
doubt  not  but  that  all  the  species  found  in  the  neighbour- 
ing lakes  will  be  discovered  in  this  marl,  even  the  Naiades. 
In  passing  rapidly  along,  I  thought  I  could  perceive  much 
larger  species  than  those  which  were  gathered,  during  the 
few  minutes  I  was  on  shore. 

A  lacustrine  formation,  of  so  recent  a  nature  as  this 
appears  to  be,  is  not,  I  believe,  of  frequent  occurrence.  It  is 
the  result,  however,  of  one  of  those  causes  which  are  now 
in  action ;  and  another  instance  might  be  mentioned,  in 
which  the  effect  of  this  cause,  though  striking,  has  not  ad- 
vanced to  that  period  when  it  would  make  a  finished  deposit. 
I  mean  the  small  lake,  or  pond,  in  Sussex  county,  New 
Jersey,  well  known  by  the  descriptive  name  of  Milk 
Pond.*  Here  countless  myriads  of  bleached  shells,  of  the 

*  It  takes  its  name  from  the  milky  appearance  of  the  waters,  near  the 
shore,  caused  by  the  mass  of  bleached  shells  deposited  there.  In 
Gordon's  Map  of  New  Jersey,  it  is  named  White  Pond. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  225 

families  Lymnceana  and  Peristomiana,  analagous  to  the 
species  now  inhabiting  the  adjacent  waters,  line  and  form 
the  shores  of  the  whole  circumference  of  the  lake,  to  the 
depth  and  breadth  of  many  fathoms.  Not  having  visited 
this  interesting  lake  myself,  1  repeat  what  has  been  com- 
municated to  me  by  intelligent,  scientific  friends,  who 
have  examined  it,  and  on  whose  report  the  most  implicit 
reliance  may  be  placed.  Such  is  the  quantity  of  bleached 
shells  now  remaining  there,  that  thousands  of  tons  of  these 
small  species,  in  a  state  of  perfect  whiteness,  could  be  ob- 
tained, if  any  useful  purpose  required  the  removal  of  them. 
For  agricultural  purposes,  this  mass  might  prove  of 
great  utility.  One  friend,  I  remember,  mentioned  to  me, 
that  he  had  obtained  a  sharp  pointed  pole,  which  he 
inserted  ten  or  twelve  feet  perpendicularly  into  the  mass, 
on  the  shore,  near  to  the  edge  of  the  water,  without  its 
having  passed  through  it.  As  far  as  can  be  ascertained, 
this  mass  seems  to  form  the  whole  basin  of  the  lake,  and 
it  may,  at  some  future,  and,  perhaps,  not  far  distant  period, 
form  a  tufaceous  lacustrine  deposit,  similar  to  that  at 
Syracuse. 

These  very  circumscribed  deposits  are  of  no  very  great 
geological  importance,  but  they  indicate  to  us,  in  a  small 
way,  the  processes  by  which  nature  has  formed  those  lacus- 
trine deposits  which  are  of  a  wider  extent,  of  more  ancient 
origin,  and  which  compose  part  of  nearly  all  the  groups 
which  Mr  Lyell  divides  into  Metamorphic,  Plutonic,  Vol- 
canic, Freshwater,  Marine  and  Alluvial.* 

*  Principles  of  Geology,  vol.  3,  pp.  374,  386. 
2D 


226  CONTRIBUTIONS 

De  la  Beche  very  justly  remarks,  that  "  all  the  exam- 
ples hitherto  produced  of  deposits  that  can  be  fairly  traced 
to  existing  springs,  are  relatively  unimportant,"  "  though 
they  may  lead  us  to  understand  how  great  geological  de- 
posits may,  chemically,  have  taken  place,  as  the  cabinet 
experiments  of  the  chemist  teach  us  the  laws  which  go- 
vern nature  on  the  large  scale."* 

We  have,  in  the  Geological  Description  of  the  Environs  of 
Paris,  by  Brogniart,  p.  274,  some  account  of  the  Freshwater 
Formations,  posterior  to  the  Calcaire  Grossier,  which  ex- 
ist in  Europe.  They  are  found  in  Spain,  France,  Eng- 
land, Switzerland,  Germany,  Hungary  and  Italy.  These, 
however,  are  more  ancient  than  the  deposit  at  Syracuse. 
It  is  necessarry  to  bear  in  mind  that  these  deposits  are  en- 
tirely distinct  from  that  which  Brogniart  calls  "  calcaire 
lacustre  inferieur,"  which  lies  immediately  over  the  Cal- 
caire Grossier,  in  the  Paris  basin,  contains  extinct  species, 
and  forms  there  a  most  important  stratum  of  the  series. 

We  have  an  example  of  the  strata  of  an  age  contem- 
poraneous with  that  of  Syracuse,  in  the  valley  of  Elsa,  in 
Tuscany.  Here,  Mr  Lyell  says,  "  we  meet  with  fresh 
water  marls  and  travertins  full  of  shells,  belonging  to 
species  which  now  live  in  the  lakes  and  rivers  of  Italy ."f 
He  tells  us  also,  that  valleys,  several  hundred  feet  deep, 
have  been  excavated  through  lacustrine  beds. 

In  the  Geological  Transactions,  volume  second,  the 
same  author  mentions  other  calcareous  deposits,  which 

*  Geological  Manual,  p.  138. 

t  Principles  of  Geology,  vol.  3,  p.  137. 


TO  GEOLOGY.  227 

are  similar  to  that  of  Syracuse.  The  Bakie  Lock  in  For- 
farshire,  has  made  a  deposit  of  calcareous  matter,  which 
has  been  found  useful  for  agricultural  purposes,  and  this 
he  attributes  to  the  agency  of  shells  which  inhabited  the 
lake. 


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